Today’s NFL preview gives us a glimpse at the St. Louis Rams, a team which may be ready to resume a place atop the NFC once again, within the next few seasons as a strong, and young, nucleus once again inhabits the Edward Jones Dome.

I know it is foolish to put too much stock into what I have seen thus far in the preseason, especially with an extensive l-word which decimated the offseason (I am not married nor do I have children but when I do, “lockout” will be akin to the f-word at my humble abode, but I digress.) and defensive schemes which are more vanilla than Bill Cosby’s white Jell-O pudding pops.

Anyway, the Rams’ solid prospects have been instigated by Sam Bradford who last season completed 60 percent of his passes and tossed for 18 scoring strikes against 15 interceptions.

With developing weapons, such as rookies Greg Salas and Austin Pettis, and other stalwarts, which include Donnie Avery and Mark Clayton, the Rams should be able to give opponents fits by creating a wide array of mismatches.

As a Broncos fan, I do not have a high opinion of Josh McDaniels, (as a head coach) but he is a brilliant offensive coordinator so I can easily see the Rams averaging upward of 30 points per game.

Additionally, rock-solid Steven Jackson returns to the Rams’ backfield but has been joined by Cadillac Williams, so with another stalwart to shoulder the load, look for Jackson to be stronger than he has been in the past.

At tight end, I’m a sucker for cool names so Michael Hoomanawanui and Fendi Onobun, so, if for nothing else, those two are winners in my book.

Defensively, while Oshiomogho Atogwe is gone, underrated studs such as C.J. Ah You (who I rode on a charter bus with many times several years ago when I took stats for Snow College J.C. of Ephraim Utah’s football team), Bryan Kehl and Craig Dahl should help fuel a unit that could give opposing offenses trouble as the season progresses.

Additionally, Justin Bannan was a wise acquisition from the Broncos and ex-Viking Ben Leber still has a lot of good football in him.

Plus, like Coach Spagnuolo, I have Italian in me, so that’s another reason to peg the Rams for a successful season.

Ultimately, the NFC West is pathetically weak until it’s not so if St. Louis takes care of business in divisional play, lots of good things can happen.

While Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt and Kurt Warner aren’t walking out that door, as Rick Pitino would say, the Rams still have a bright future.

We shall see what happens and thanks for reading!

(SALINA) – Two juveniles from Salina have been cited for seven counts of vandalism in a crime spree that took place in the northeast area of the city Monday night. Police Chief Greg Harwood said the juveniles, ages 12 and 17, attacked mail boxes, broke a rear view mirror on a vehicle and damaged property throughout the night Monday. Harwood said reports started coming at 7:30am Tuesday until about 9:20am on the vandalism. Both juveniles have been turned over to the custody of their parents.

(MONTREAL)-KKCO-TV, Channel 11 in Grand Junction, Colo. reports a Colorado Springs, Colo. man wanted on kidnapping charges has been arrested in Canada.

U.S. Customs Agents in New York said 49-year-old Todd Daniel Wilcox has been staying in Canada since 1997 and said he was recently arrested by Canadian authorities at Quebec on theft charges and was later deported back to the U.S., where agents found he was wanted on kidnapping charges.

No details of the kidnapping were immediately available and he is presently awaiting extradition back to Colorado.

(FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.)-The Arizona Daily Sun of Flagstaff, Ariz. reports that an Indiana man has been federally charged with several counts of child abuse after allegedly forcing his three young grandsons on brutal hikes through Grand Canyon National Park earlier this month.

The man is accused of beating them, forcing them to walk upon ulcerated blisters they had incurred, denying them food and water and forcing them to run up the trail under the intense summer sun.

According to a complaint which was filed Tuesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office at Flagstaff, rangers and passersby alike noted several instances of alleged abuse meted out by Christopher A. Carlson of Indianapolis against the boys, aged 12, 9 and 8, respectively which entailed two trips to the Grand Canyon on a cross-country trip this summer.

One of these hikes, a 19-mile trek, occurred last weekend, when temperatures reached 108 degrees at Phantom Ranch, along the Colorado River.

A law enforcement ranger intervened on the first trip, August 15, when she saw Carlson and the boys at the day-use area at Indian Garden.

According to this complaint, other park visitors had informed the ranger they were concerned for the boys, who looked exhausted.

Already that day, the group had hiked from the South Rim to Plateau Point and back to Indian Garden, roughly a distance of 7.5 miles while Carlson was reportedly intent on taking the boys to the Colorado River and back to the rim that evening.

After Carlson was detained by officials, the children, who at Carlson’s behest during interaction with authorities, were denied food and water, were found to have had their lips sunburned off and had several cuts and bruises, denoting they had been chronically abused.

The 12-year-old boy described symptoms of potentially fatal heat stroke, officials said, after Sunday’s hike, including dizziness, double vision, and sounds around him becoming suppressed.

The boys also featured badly chafed groins as Carlson did not allow them to wear underwear, they said.

Carlson is currently in custody at the Coconino County (Ariz.) jail and will be back in court Thursday for additional hearings.

(ST. GEORGE)-Wednesday, Dixie State College of Utah announced the appointment of Gail Cooper Smith as a member of the institution’s Board of Trustees and will be formally introduced at the college’s upcoming Board of Trustees meeting Friday September 9.

Smith, a 1961 graduate of then-Dixie College was appointed by Utah Governor Gary Herbert to replace David H. Jeppson, who completed his term as a DSC trustee this past June.

Smith joins Lon E. Henderson and DSC student body president Mike Sheffield as the board’s newest additions.

Herbert lauded Smith, saying she brings a sound background to the board and believes her to be a solid addition as she serves her alma mater.

Smith is a seventh-generation native of Washington County as she was born in St. George and raised in nearby Washington City.

Upon her graduation from Dixie College, she later completed her bachelor’s degree in physical education at Brigham Young University.

Smith excelled as a collegiate athlete and was a member of Dixie College’s first women’s ICAC basketball team and at one time, made the winning free throw to help the Lady Rebels earn the championship at the BYU Invitational.

Smith subsequently taught both high school and junior high, while coaching basketball at Centerville Junior High.

In 1995, Dixie College awarded Smith an honorary doctorate degree and in 2000, she was enshrined into the college’s Hall of Fame as well as being inducted into the inaugural class of the DSC Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

Smith, who is the mother of six, is also the author of the book Shadow Fall: Reflections on Nurturing Family Values.

She is the wife of Hyrum Smith and was instrumental in his Franklin Day Planner business.

(KANOSH) – A Laughlin, Nevada man was killed in an ATV accident near Kanosh Monday afternoon. A Millard County Sheriff’s report said that 65-year old Larry Nicol was riding his ATV on a creek crossing on a forest service trail, when his ATV overturned, landing on top of him. Those riding with Nicol attempted CPR but were not able to revive the man. He was transported to the Fillmore Community Medical Center, where he later died. Sheriff’s investigators were still looking into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

(EUREKA) – A mining company is drilling holes in Eureka looking for copper, gold and molybdenum. Rio Tinto, which owns Kennecott Utah Copper Corp., is boring holes into western Utah’s Tintic Mining District in hopes of locating deposits of the minerals. Eureka residents welcome the exploratory project less than three miles from the former Juab County mining town, in hopes of bringing jobs to the area. Resident Taylor Draper said that people lost their jobs when the EPA closed its superfund operation in Eureka and many will be unemployed when UDOT wraps up its I-15 project in Utah County. Between 1868 and 1917, the Tintic Mining District produced millions in mineral wealth by unearthing the gold, silver, copper, lead and molybdenum. Rio Tinto hopes to bring the minerals back to market.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-A Brigham City doctor convicted of illegally prescribing painkillers this month is slated to receive another day in court before he is scheduled for sentencing.

U.S. District Judge Dee Benson granted Dewey MacKay’s defense lawyers a September 21 hearing concerning the allegation that prosecutors lied during the trial’s five-week closing arguments.

In a motion filed as the jury deliberated August 17, attorney Peter Stirba asked the judges to dismiss charges against MacKay, contending the false statements prevented the jury from fairly evaluating the evidence.

Prosecutor Michael Kennedy, in his response, wrote the allegation carries no factual basis while the judge’s instruction to the jury that attorneys’ statements or arguments are not evidence cures any misstatements that may have occurred.

The jury found MacKay guilty of 40 of the 86 counts against him, including the two counts related to the death of a 55-year-old man and he is slated for sentencing October 23.

(WASHINGTON)-As Mitt Romney continues to advocate for tea party voters, a significant schism is emerging in the conservative grassroots movement.

While South Carolina Republican Senator Jim DeMint, who is considered an influential politician in his sphere, Dick Armey, a former U.S. Representative from Texas’ 26th congressional district is intending to protest against Romney via his aggressive FreedomWorks organization.

Earlier this week, Romney’s campaign said he will appear at a rally in Concord, N.H. which will coincide with the Tea Party Express bus tour.

The inclusion of Romney in the Tea Party Express rally proved to be the impetus for FreedomWorks of Washington to not only pull all support for Romney but to advocate against him.

It is expected Romney will leave New Hampshire Monday and next head to South Carolina to participate in the Labor Day presidential forum which DeMint has organized.

Romney’s campaign is saying the candidate’s recent embrace of the Tea Party movement is a non-issue.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-A federal appeals court has upheld a 2010 jury ruling that Waltham, Mass.-based Novell owns copyrights to the Unix operating system, used by larger corporations.

Tuesday, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a separate lower court ruling that Novell retained the rights granted by the licenses.

A jury ruled in favor of Novell in March 2010 following a three-week trial in U.S. District Court at Salt Lake City.

The jury ruled that Novell owns copyrights to Unix of Santa Clara, Calif., although it sold licensing rights for the technology to the SCO Group in 1995.

SCO Group had claimed it bought the copyrights, along with the Unix license, and sued Novell for “slander of title” when Novell denied it.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The parrying back and forth between Utah governor Gary Herbert and the state Legislature has continued as neither party can come to an agreement on when the special session for redistricting should occur.

Presently, legislators have proposed the session occur Monday October 3 but Herbert has objected to this because it comes at a time when he is scheduled to go on a redistricting special session and had instead proposed Monday October 24.

In hopes of creating a compromise, Herbert has also suggested Monday October 10 but Senate President Michael Waddoups says this is a bad time for him as he is slated to be out of the area at a meeting with other senate presidents throughout the U.S.

Chris Vanocur of ABC-4 in Salt Lake City reports it is hoped an agreement can be reached by the end of this workweek.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Fire officials are warning of an increased fire danger for parts of Utah because of hot weather and high winds in the region.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning through Thursday evening for the West Desert and southern Dixie regions of the state.

Forecasters believe wind gusts could be as high as 40 miles per hour before thunderstorms move into the state late Thursday.

Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and Public Lands spokesman Jason Curry says the amount of vegetation on hillsides presently is dangerous, even if it looks green, at this stage.

Fire crews have already been battling numerous blazes recently throughout the state while in southern Utah, these have been caused by lightning, but at this stage, none of them are threatening populated areas.

(CHICAGO)-The Associated Press and NORC at the University of Chicago announced a new research partnership Wednesday, joining forces to create the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

This Chicago-based organization will now conduct in-depth public opinion, research projects on newsworthy topics and have the goal of creating high-impact journalism and data which contribute to the public discussion on important issues.

NORC President and CEO John Thompson says he is excited to engage in this new endeavor and looks forward to assisting the AP in their news gathering efforts.

Beyond its opinion research work, the AP-NORC Center will contribute to the field of survey research via methodological experimentation, create a new program to educate journalists concerning the public about polling, while sponsoring public forums on both important and newsworthy topics.

The AP, a New York-based not-for-profit news cooperative, conducts regular polling with global research firm GFK, also of New York, as well as other partners throughout the world.

Trevor Tompson, the AP’s global director of polling, stated this new initiative is designed to “complement the AP’s strong polling partnerships” with GFK Roper Public Affairs.

Tompson and NORC executive vice president Daniel S. Gaylin, will head the center.

NORC, which has been at the University of Chicago since 1941, is known for conducting research projects both in the U.S. and internationally, for a broad range of clients and is perhaps best-known for the long-term tracking of social attitudes throughout the General Social Survey.

Research conducted by this new center will be sponsored by philanthropic organizations and other independent groups or individuals and the new center is slated to release its first report, analyzing public opinion on civil liberties 10 years after the 9/11 attacks, in early September.

(LINCOLN, Neb.)-Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman is urging President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to deny the federal permit for an oil pipeline which would carry Canadian oil over the Ogallala, Neb. aquifer.

Wednesday, Heineman said he is not opposed to the pipeline, but he has opposed the route for the Keystone XL pipeline as it crosses the aquifer, which supplies drinking and irrigation waters to parts of Nebraska and several other states.

The proposed pipeline project, the brainchild of Calgary, Alberta-based TransCanada, is designed to carry oil from the oil-rich province across Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma en route to refineries along Texas’ Gulf Coast.

TransCanada submitted its Keystone XL project for State Department review in late 2008 while the department has authority over the pipeline because it crosses an international boundary.

(MONTROSE, Colo.)-A Colorado logger who cut off all the toes on his right foot after being pinned by a logging machine says he was afraid it would take hours to find him, and worried about his mortality.

Jon Hutt says he used a 3-inch pocketknife to sever his toes from the machinery about 30 minutes after realizing no one had heard his cries for help.

Wednesday, Hutt said the incident occurred near Montrose, Colo. on August 19 when he was attempting to retrieve a pile of fallen Aspen trees he had hoped to use for winter firewood when a logging trailer slipped, pinning his foot.

The 61-year-old logger did not file a police report for the incident, but drove to a parking lot, where an ambulance arrived, taking him to Montrose Memorial Hospital.

(EXETER, N.H.)-As he continues to languish in GOP candidacy polls, former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. has proposed significant tax changes and new trade agreements as the impetus to create new jobs for Americans.

Huntsman will become the first Republican presidency contender to offer a meticulous job-creation blueprint as he delivers an address Wednesday afternoon at Gilchrist Medical Fabricating of Hudson, N.H.

The Associated Press has obtained prepared statements from Huntsman which denounce President Barack Obama for “erroneously” believing the nation can regulate its way to prosperity.

Huntsman counters this by saying the only way for the U.S. to reach prosperity is to compete in the marketplace.

Huntsman has said he will propose new trade deals beyond the currently existing ones with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, the three pacts Obama has approved, as well as an overhaul of the present tax code to create a simpler system, according to an adviser who has discussed this plan on condition of anonymity ahead of his remarks.

Perhaps because of his service under the Obama administration as a U.S. Ambassador to China until April 30, many Republicans are wary of voting for Huntsman and his lack of popularity in polls has confirmed this as already since early August, his support has dropped by 4 percent among the GOP.

(SALT LAKE COUNTY)-Tuesday, the Drug Enforcement Agency obtained a significant victory in the Salt Lake City Metro area when they were able to complete a long-term drug investigation in the region and nail the suspects they were searching for.

During the 1.5-year-long investigation, agents seized more than $500,000 worth of drugs but of greater importance, they say, they have eradicated a drug cartel which involved California and Nevada, as well as Utah.

In this span, agents had issued numerous search warrants throughout the Salt Lake Valley while DEA supervisory special agent Sue Thomas reported the search included the seizure of 30 pounds of methamphetamine, a pound of heroin and a kilo of cocaine.

These drugs, along with $322,000 in cash, now rest in the custody of the federal government.

The DEA Special Assistant in Charge, Frank Smith, says during this extensive investigation, has seen his agents arrest more than 30 people, including seven at various locations throughout the greater Salt Lake City area Tuesday.

Agents say they have knocked down a significant cell of the Sinaloa cartel, which primarily operates out of Mexican states near the U.S. border, by arresting people in key roles.

When combined with busts of massive marijuana growing operations throughout southern Utah, including Beaver, Iron and Washington counties, officials say they are taking a major stand against the cartel as it works its way more extensively into the Beehive State.

The names of those arrested have not yet been released and agents are expecting more arrests shortly, including some in Mexico.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – A powerful Utah lawmaker is questioning whether the state health department has the authority to outlaw hookah pipes as part of the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act. Sen. Howard Stephenson of Draper says the state legislature has not given the Utah Department of Health the authority to re-interpret the Act. Stephenson said the clean air act defines smoking as being in possession of “lighted tobacco”, to mean tobacco under self-sustained combustion and “heated to a point of smoking.” Hookhahs are heated via charcoal. Health department spokesman Tom Hudachko said the department wanted to clear up confusion about the definition of “lighted tobacco.” Hookhah bar owners said the health department’s definition will put them out of business and they plan to sue.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Mike Lee is throwing his support behind Rep. Carl Wimmer of Herriman for his bid in a U.S. House seat in the new 4th Congressional District. Lee said he’s endorsing Wimmer because he’s a true conservative. In February, Lee said it was not his intention to support any candidate until the democratic process has had a chance to play itself out in Utah but now says he wants to support Wimmer. Lee said he didn’t recall making such a broad comment back in February of not endorsing candidates in Utah races and may have spoken too soon. Lee has offered endorsements for two non-Utah Senate primaries and has passed on endorsing his Senate colleague, Sen. Orrin Hatch. He commented that Wimmer is a leader in conservative politics due to his stand against Pres. Obama’s health care reform, deficit spending and in support of the right to a secret ballot.

Well, after getting done with the Oakland Raiders’ preview (ugh, I feel dirty) I now move on to the Philadelphia Eagles, a team with all the high expectations in the world.

As all we devout NFL fans know by now, Michael Vick has just been awarded a rich new contract and there is sufficient evidence to suggest that he will not go JaMarcus Russell and squander this chance, especially since he gets to be a bonzo millionaire for the second time in an NFL career.

Vick, while not having his best game of the preseason against Pittsburgh in Week 2, appears to have more of a command of Andy Reid’s meticulous version of the West Coast offense and puts in the film study time to prove it.

Vick, with his embarrassment of riches (LeSean McCoy really deserves to be #1 in my Fantasy draft, so I should oblige him) will not be wanting for friends to throw the ball to even if Jeremy Maclin isn’t back for the Week 1 game at St. Louis.

Whenever I watch film of DeSean Jackson, I am just astounded at his speed, while Brent Celek, Jason Avant and newcomer to the fold Ronnie Brown all bring sufficiently prodigious skills which will make Philadelphia a nightmare for opposing defenses as the season progresses.

As a sidenote, Cornelius Ingram really intrigues me, but with all of this weaponry Philadelphia boasts, one must wonder if he’ll even be active every week.

Defensively, Trent Cole is a monster and never seems to get the credit he deserves. His prolific pass-rushing skills will once again prove invaluable to any success Philadelphia will experience on that side of the ball.

As for the secondary, we all know Nnamdi Asomugha, Asante Samuel and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are all extremely hard to throw on and while the Cardinals are elated with Kevin Kolb at this stage, I think all Eagles fans know Mike Kafka will be better as Vick’s backup anyway.

Once again, Eagles management is playing chess while other front offices seem to be playing checkers.

With all of this said, the NFC East will be tough this season, as it always is (the Giants are better than they showed against the Jets Monday, I’m certain) but just so long as the Cowboys finish last, that’s all an NFL fan with integrity can hope for!

Thanks for reading and I expect nothing but a deep playoff run for the Eagles. As always, we shall see what happens.

Today’s first of many NFL previews involves the Oakland Raiders, a team that is generally bereft of my respect for I am a Broncos fan.

With that said, I will try to be fair in analyzing this team, which I feel will go back to last place in the AFC West.

Anyway, the Raiders are fresh off of an 8-8 campaign, which is the best year they have had since 2002 when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers demoralized them in the Super Bowl.

I didn’t directly watch the game, as I was a Mormon missionary in El Paso, Texas at the time, but the Church members we were visiting had the game on from a distance and a smile emerged on my face as I could hear the Buccaneers were destroying them.

Anyway, not much has gone right since then in the Nation but from that time on, but 2010 showed some good signs.

The Raiders beat my punchless Broncos two times, but Denver is much stronger, so that will be a good matchup in Week 1 at Denver on September 12.

Oakland’s running offense was second in NFL annals in 2010 and if Darren McFadden (1,157 yards, 7 TD’s) and Michael Bush are healthy, this is a tough stumblingblock for AFC West opponents to deal with.

The Raiders, much like my Broncos, have several signal-callers who can get the job done when called upon with Jason Campbell, Trent Edwards and Kyle Boller all boasting several years of NFL experience.

At wideout, Denarius Moore has proven to be an intriguing prospect thus far in preseason and (I hate to admit it) my fellow Southern Utah Thunderbird alum Nick Miller has proven himself to be a solid punt returner when called upon.

Defensively, however, Oakland didn’t have the best season in 2010 and star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha has departed for Philadelphia so unless someone steps up to assist Rolando McClain, Oakland may have to win lots of shootouts.

The Raiders and Broncos could actually be the two teams to battle for the AFC West as Kansas City accomplished much of their success with smoke and mirrors in 2010 as the Ravens easily ousted them from the playoffs.

Additionally, the Chargers, who Raiders fans hate as much as I do, just aren’t the elite team they were earlier in the 2000s and Philip Rivers may prove to be yet another Dan Marino (except the prolific Dolphin legend made it to ONE Super Bowl….), big stats, no bling.

Anyway, that’s all I’ve got. I hope the Raiders don’t do well, but the pragmatic thinker in me says they have a chance to be around .500 and perhaps win as many as 10 games, we’ll see what happens.

With all my heart, GO BRONCOS!!!

(PAROWAN)-This past weekend, the St. George Spectrum reported the Parowan Airport will receive a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help construct a prairie dog barrier along the runway.

The roughly $280,000 from the federal agency, along with about $50,000 from the Utah Department of Natural Resources and another $50,000 from Parowan, will be used to construct about 5,000 feet of barrier along both sides of the runway.

Ultimately, the plan is to bury the barrier eight feet in the ground to prevent prairie dogs from burrowing in the ground below the asphalt.

Officials hope the project will not only assist in the runway, but also the prairie dogs, which presently are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah Governor Gary Herbert and Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell were slated to begin hosting a two-day Native American Summit Tuesday to discuss education, housing and healthcare challenges among Utah’s tribal members.

The sixth annual event is scheduled for the University Park Marriott Hotel of Salt Lake City and roughly 400 people are registered to attend currently.

Herbert says this summit strengthens relationships between state and tribal leaders and keeps a dialogue open on numerous Native American issues.

Keynote speakers are expected to include a federal official from HUD’s Office of Native American programs and an Indian affairs representative from the U.S. Department of the Interior.

The Northwest Band of the Shoshone Tribe of Brigham City and Pocatello, Idaho, is serving as the host tribe and is presently organizing a presentation of colors which is expected to include cultural performances and representatives from each tribal nation.

(RICHMOND, Va.)-The Associated Press reports the 5.8-magnitude earthquake that rattled the East Coast August 23 is continuing to produce aftershocks in its wake.

In the past seven days, at least 18 aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 4.5 to as little as 2.0, followed the strongest earthquake to strike the Eastern Seaboard since World War II, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Two of the latest occurred late Monday, sources say.

Aftershocks are smaller tremors which occur in weeks, and in certain cases, months, after the one centered in Mineral, Va., are usually felt within a smaller radius than where the original quake occurred.

The largest of the aftershocks thus far, a 4.5-magnitude quake last Thursday, was felt by people in roughly 1,100 zip codes stretching from New England to Georgia and westward to Illinois, the USGS confirmed.

Tens of millions of people from Georgia to Canada reported they were jolted by the initial tremor.

(TUCSON, Ariz.)-Hospital officials say an 86-year-old Arizona man is lucky to be alive after accidentally impaling himself with pruning shears.

Monday, Tucson, Ariz.-based University Medical Center officials said Leroy Luetscher of Green Valley, Ariz., was working in his yard July 30 when he dropped a pair of pruning shears, which landed point-side down in the ground.

When Luetscher went to pick them up, he lost his balance and fell face-down on the handle, which penetrated his eye-socket and slid into his neck, resting upon his external carotid artery.

Half of the shears remained in his head, as the other half stuck out.

Luetscher was then rushed to the hospital, where surgeons removed the shears and rebuilt his orbital floor with metal mesh, saving his eye.

Doctors stated Luetscher still has slight swelling in his eyelids and minor double vision but otherwise, he has generally recovered.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Utah Department of Health has clarified its indoor clean air act to include hookah and other tobacco-related products but one business owner has said the state is overstepping its bounds.

As of September 12, the Utah Indoor Clean Air Act will include additional language, which deems smoke from hookahs as being no different than that of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco.

The health department states the reason for this clarification is hookahs are a significant health hazard.

Steve Hadden of the Utah Department of Health’s Tobacco Prevention and Control Program said secondhand tobacco smoke is known to cause cancer in humans and there is simply no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke that exists.

Nate Porter, the owner of the Huka Bar and Grill of Murray, has said the health department has no proof hookahs give off secondhand smoke and that he will do all in his power to revoke this ruling, while stating his business will not depart by September 12.

Hadden said the ruling, if it can go through, will apply to both current and future tobacco products.

Information concerning this act, the effects of secondhand smoke, resources for quitting and other things are available online at www.tobaccofreeutah.org.

For additional information, please call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit www.utahquitnet.com.

(MT. PLEASANT) – Two Sanpete County motorists escaped serious injury Monday afternoon after an accident on SR-89 south of Mt. Pleasant. According to a UHP report, 34-year old Liliana Jauregui of Chester was traveling northbound in a 2007 Ford F-150, when she drifted off the right shoulder of the highway, overcorrected to the left and sideswiped a 2004 Chevy Silverado pulling a trailer in the opposite lane at about 1:20pm. UHP said Jauregui was wearing her seatbelt and was not injured. The driver of the other vehicle, 26-year old Kayce Parry of Ephraim was wearing a seatbelt and was also not injured. UHP reported that Jauregui was cited for improper lane travel and no proof of insurance.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Because of Utah’s small amount of congressmen, state representative Jason Chaffetz has said the need exists for them to meet more regularly.

In remarks made Monday, Chaffetz stated that since the rapidly-growing state has only five congressmen and they don’t meet enough presently as it is, that this should change.

Chaffetz says if this occurred, they could get significantly farther along in Washington in having their needs and requests addressed in the capital.

In making his statements to KSL Radio’s Doug Wright, Chaffetz asserted leaders in states such as Arizona and Texas meet weekly over breakfast and if this occurs in Utah, the leaders can pass laws which are integral to the state’s needs.

Chaffetz blames senior senator Orrin Hatch for this supposedly dysfunctional relationship which has caused him to meet only twice with his fellow leaders, he said.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Former Secretary of State James Baker, the adviser to three previous GOP presidential candidates’ campaigns for the White House, stated Monday at the Little America Hotel he will support whoever becomes the party’s 2012 nominee.

Baker, the keynote speaker at Utah senior senator Orrin Hatch’s annual conference for seniors which will ensue through the week confirmed to reporters that Utah favorite Mitt Romney is adept at private business management and lauded the previous attainments of his competitor Jon Huntsman Jr., saying he appreciated working with him under the Reagan administration.

Baker, a native of Houston, also glorified Texas Governor Rick Perry, who has risen to become the present GOP front-runner ahead of Romney, according to recent polls.

Ultimately, in his remarks, Baker stressed the importance of the GOP taking control of the White House in 2012, regardless of who wins the nomination among the present candidates.

In closing, Baker said the nation is “totally broke,” but disparaged assertions that America is in decline, calling such remarks an “exaggeration.”

(JERUSALEM)-With Israel growing increasingly vexed that Hollywood has chosen other Mediterranean countries, such as Italy and Morocco to depict the Holy Land, the Israeli government has decided to be more inviting to filmmakers and producers.

Presently, Israeli officials have begun offering better tax breaks, terror attack insurance and handouts approaching $400,000 in hopes of luring international movie producers to Jerusalem, a city considered holy by Christians, Jews and Muslims alike.

The Knesset, Israel’s legislative body, is now hoping to cash in on the multi-billion dollar industry so the “real Jerusalem” can be lionized on the silver screen.

Yoram Honig, an Israeli film director and 10th generation Jerusalemite, is the head of the Jerusalem Film Fund, which was set up three years ago and to encourage moviemaking in future years.

Honig said this law dates back to 2008 in hopes of alleviating filmmakers’ concerns while earlier this year, The Holy Land introduced an insurance fund providing coverage to a production lest disruptions should come via acts of war or terrorism, according to Zafir Asas, the manager of of audio visual industries in Israel’s Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor.

Nava Levin, the Israeli representative to the Producers Guild of America of Beverly Hills, Calif., said this new law creates obstacles for filmmakers, including a proviso that Israeli production companies purchase goods and services for producers on their behalf.

Levin states the way the law is written makes it virtually impossible for it to be capitalized upon for filmmakers’ benefits.

Honig says his municipal fund is on the verge of signing a contract with a German producer to shoot a film depicting the trial of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, which occurred at Jerusalem in 1961.

Additionally, there are plans afoot for an Italian-produced comedy in Jerusalem depicting an Italian nun falling in love with an Orthodox Jew.

Other productions which could potentially occur in Jerusalem include an Indian-Israeli romance film and a film called “Jerusalem, I Love You,” an installment of producer Emmanuel Benhiby’s Cities of Love series with other cities including Shanghai, New York, Paris and Rio de Janiero.

(RICHFIELD) – Richfield City officials met in a special session today to discuss the purchase of water rights for future growth. The intent of the city is to buy 41.25-acre feet of culinary water from private underground water shares for future growth in the city. Councilmembers approved $320,000 to buy the water rights. City Manager Mike Langston said the city may need to adjust impact fees to reflect increased costs of water.

(CEDAR CITY) – Three suspected thieves were arrested in Cedar City Thursday after being found with a cache of weapons and drugs that were reportedly stolen from the Blanding Police Department. Cedar City police said they arrested 22-year old Thomas Goatz, 23-year old Timothy Goatz and 34-year old Carmen Doan around noon on Thursday after police served a search warrant at a home in Enoch in Iron County. All three face felony charges, including possession of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a restricted person and possession of a stolen firearm. It was not immediately known if the trio had attorneys.

(LEEDS) – Utah Highway Patrol troopers investigated a semitrailer truck rollover on I-15 near Leeds Sunday morning and determined it was due to driver fatigue. UHP troopers reported the driver, carrying produce, was traveling southbound, when the truck overturned. The driver was not injured in the accident but one lane of traffic was closed, delaying motorists for several hours along the Washington County route.

(TUCSON, Ariz.)-KVOA-TV, Channel 4 in Tucson, Ariz. reports two illegal immigrants with criminal records in the U.S., including one in Utah, were identified and apprehended by Border Patrol agents this past weekend.

Saturday, a 36-year-old man from Guatemala was apprehended by Douglas (Ariz.) Station agents after illegally entering the U.S., according to a release from Customs and Border Protection.

A records check confirmed the man had a criminal history, including convictions for unlawful sexual activity with a minor and driving under the influence in Salt Lake City while the man also had an aggravated DUI charge out of Maricopa County (Ariz.) and will be criminally prosecuted for illegal entry, according to CBP.

Sunday, Border Patrol agents at the Naco Station apprehended a 34-year-old Mexican national, identified as a member of the Sureno gang.

During processing, agents learned of his conviction in Madera, Calif. for driving under the influence and force/assault with a deadly weapon.

CBP says he will be criminally prosecuted for illegal reentry into the country.

(ST. GEORGE)-With the assistance of propitious weather conditions, firefighters were able to make significant progress last Saturday in suppressing the numerous fires burning on the Arizona Strip.

This past weekend, no significant growth was reported on any of the 10 fires that were started by lightning when a thunderstorm passed through the region August 26.

While much work remains, firefighters said, any threats posed by the fires to either public or private lands have been considerably reduced by their efforts.

Each of the fires are scattered through the Arizona Strip’s western sector on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and many of the blazes are situated in remote areas with little access for vehicles.

As of Sunday afternoon, there were no threats posed by the fires to either public or private lands because of firefighters’ efforts.

The largest of the blazes is the Plateau Fire, which is burning 10 miles south of Bloomington and had scorched 2,000 acres through Sunday.

Authorities have informed residents that smoke from the fires may possibly be seen through the next few days in the Virgin River Gorge and Mesquite, Nev., although they will generally be obscured from Washington County residents.

(KANAB) – Opponents of a proposed coal gasification plant in Kanab plan to turn out at a public hearing Tuesday night. The Department of Energy is hosting the hearing on its draft environmental assessment for the controversial hydro-gasification plant, that would turn coal, biofuels and other materials, including tires, into methane gas to produce electricity. Construction of the $2-million facility is being challenged in court and residents have circulated a petition seeking to put the issue on the ballot. California-based Viresco Energy, which wants to build the experimental plant, is closing in on construction after receiving approval for a zoning change and a conditional use permit. The company still needs to secure a building permit to construct the plant. A lawsuit in Sixth District Court is challenging the approval process for the plant. The public hearing will be held Tuesday night at 7pm at the Kanab Middle School.

(KOOSHAREM) – An Annabella man was injured Saturday afternoon after his car pinned him to a telephone pole while he was getting fuel at a Koosharem gas station. A sheriff’s report said that 64-year old William Anderson was at the Grass Valley Mercantile in Koosharem, when his car slipped out of park to reverse. The report said Anderson tried to get back into his vehicle but it dragged him across the road, hit a stop sign and pinned him between the driver’s door and the pole. A witness to the incident ran after the vehicle and was able to get into the passenger side door and put the vehicle in drive to release Anderson. Sheriff’s deputies said Anderson was taken by ambulance to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield in good condition.

(AXTELL) – Lightning caused a power outage Friday afternoon affecting about 2600 Rocky Mountain Power customers in Sevier and Sanpete Counties. RMP Spokesperson Margaret Oler said lightning hit a transformer on a power pole about two miles south of Axtell at about 4pm, causing the pole to catch fire and knocked out power to the North Sevier and South Sanpete county areas. Oler said crews were able to re-route power and had service back up at about 5:30pm. Crews replaced the burned transformer after switching the power.

(RICHFIELD) – A team made up of St. George runners were the winners of the Fishlake Relay Race held over the weekend. Team captain, Dianne Tracey praised the organizers of the event. Tracey, who was not able to participate in the run due to an injury, said her team was able to complete the race in a record time of eight hours, 34 minutes. The all-day race on Saturday featured a total of 21 teams from around the state of Utah, who started from Fishlake, running 63 miles through mountainous terrain and valleys, ending up with the finish line at the Richfield City Park. Runners completed 10 to 12 miles on each leg of the race.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – A new center for the study of public lands at Southern Utah University in Cedar City is being named after U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. The Democrat is scheduled to be at SUU on Thursday to deliver a lecture and unveil plans for the Harry Reid Center for Outdoor Engagement. University officials say that Reid is an alumni of SUU and will make a “special announcement” after his speech. Former Sen. Bob Bennett will also attend the dedication, saying the “focus is on public lands and multiple use, recreation, as well as preservation.” Bennett says those interests cross party lines. Reid helped Bennett pass his Washington County lands bill, which set land use policy for the growing area backed by groups representing a wide range of views and is widely seen as model legislation.

(ESCALANTE) – A minor wildfire is burning on the Dixie National Forest in the Escalante Ranger District. Fire managers say the Toddler Wildfire was ignited by lightning on Aug. 22 in a remote area of the district and has consumed about 25 acres. Fire crews are working to confine the fire to around 200 acres. The fire is currently burning brush, needle litter and small slash in the ponderosa pine understory. Smoke is visible from SR-12 in the Upper Valley area and winds will most likely blow the smoke to the northeast. Firefighter resources from Escalante, Cedar City and Panguitch are assisting in fighting the fire.

(CEDAR CITY)-The Canyon Creek Women’s Crisis Center of Cedar City has been granted a unique opportunity to release a rehabilitated golden eagle back into the wild with the assistance of Martin Tyner, the founder and CEO of the Cedar City-based Southwest Wildlife Foundation.

The release is slated to occur over the “C” overlook up Cedar Mountain due east of the city Saturday August 27 at 4:00 p.m.

The golden eagle being prepared for release was found near dead two months ago, suffering from West Nile Disease, an illness which is virtually 100 percent fatal in all cases for golden eagles.

Tyner says under his guidance, the eagle has gained its strength and represents a miracle in beating the odds stacked against it.

Throughout the country at this time, everyone is invited to have a moment of silence and reflection to remember and honor the victims and families of domestic violence and abuse.

(AUSTIN, Texas)-In a ruling that may influence as many as 12 cases against men belonging to a polygamous sect straddling the Utah/Arizona border, including presently jailed leader, Warren Jeffs, a Texas appeals court refused to overturn a sexual assault conviction Friday.

The 60-year-old Michael Emack pleaded no contest last year to charges in his polygamous marriage to an underage girl while he was convicted for the crime earlier this month.

Emack subsequently appealed his conviction, saying the search warrant used to gather evidence against him was obtained illegally.

This warrant led to a significant 2008 raid on the sect’s Yearning For Zion ranch at Eldorado, Texas and later, resulted in charges being meted out against Jeffs and 12 others.

The sect’s attorney, Robert Udashen, has said he plans to ensue in the appeal, perhaps as high as to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Presently, Jeffs has not yet appealed his conviction.

(PUYALLUP, Wash.)-Steven Powell, the father of Josh Powell, whose wife Susan has been missing for two years, stated videos, pictures and journals belonging to himself and his daughter-in-law were seized by West Valley City police during an 8.5-hour search of his house Thursday.

Steven Powell, who made the statements at Kennewick, Wash. Thursday as the warrant was served, made his first statements to the media Friday morning.

West Valley City police and Pierce County (Wash.) sheriff’s deputies arrived at Steven Powell’s home around 2:45 p.m. PDT Thursday and were slated to end the search around 9:45 p.m. when a discussion during their final briefing prompted them to release a final piece of evidence, stated West Valley City Police Lieutenant Bill Merritt.

In so doing, investigators ended up finding additional information and searching Powell’s home for an additional 90 minutes while West Valley City police did not finish their searching until 11:15 p.m. PDT.

This event commemorated the first time since Susan Powell’s disappearance in December 2009 that police arrived at the Powell residence bearing a signed search warrant.

Authorities said no one was detained at the home during their search while Josh Powell was there for an hour after which he left with his sons.

Thursday’s activity came during a week rife with renewed interest in the Susan Powell case, which reconvened with an extensive search for her in Ely, Nev. and bolstered by a percolating war of words involving Josh and Steven Powell, as well as Chuck Cox, Susan’s father.

Josh Powell has been deemed a person of interest in the case because West Valley City police say he remains uncooperative.

(JACKSON HOLE, Wyo.)-Friday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke confirmed Congress must do more to promote hiring and growth, lest it should risk delaying the economy’s return to full health.

Bernanke has proposed no new steps by Washington to resuscitate the economy but his statements come at a time when Congress has been admonished to shrink long-run budget deficits not to “disregard the fragility” of the economy’s present rate of recovery.

Bernanke made his remarks at an annual economic conference at Jackson Hole, Wyo., leaving the possibility open that the government will take further steps to bolster the economy.

He stated the September policy meeting will occur over a span of two days to allow time for a meticulous discussion.

Analysts in attendance, however, said the speech provided no assurances of any help coming from Washington.

Stocks proceeded to fall after his address but by midmorning, the Dow had resuscitated itself via mid-morning trading.

Some economists remain concerned that Europe’s financial crisis, coupled with perpetually languishing U.S. job growth and falling home prices, could tip the economy into another recession.

These fears have caused stock prices to fall in recent months while the Dow Jones industrial average has dropped 12 percent of its value since late July.

A plan Congress passed earlier this month confirms annual deficits are expected to be reduced by $3.3 trillion throughout the next day via spending cuts.

In order to promote growth, Bernanke has stated the government must pursue tax, trade and regulatory policies meant to encourage economic health.

As for the job market, The Associated Press states things still look ominous as this week The Congressional Budget Office estimated the unemployment rate should hover around 8.5 percent when President Barack Obama seeks reelection next year.

According to predictions, unemployment will stay well above 8 percent through at least 2013.

Ultimately, many economists have noted the economy’s main problem is consumer spending remains weak, thus giving businesses only moderate incentive to hire, expand and invest.

Joshua Shapiro, an economist at New York-based MFR Inc. said that by dwelling on budget and tax issues facing Congress, Bernanke was conceding the Feds had exhausted their resources.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The Utah Bureau of Land Management is seeking public nominations for a single vacancy on its Resource Advisory Council. The nominee will fill a vacated position with the term expiring in September 2012 and nominations will be considered until September 15th of this year. BLM officials say there are 24 RAC’s across the West, comprising of 12 to 15 members in each agency to help the BLM manage 245 million acres of public land for multiple use. RAC’s are comprised of members with an interest in public land management, including conservationists, ranchers, outdoor recreationists, state and local government officials, Tribal officials and academics. The diverse membership of each RAC is aimed at achieving a balanced outlook for the BLM to complete its mission.

(REDMOND) – A Mayfield man is in custody after being caught in the act of burglarizing a Redmond home Wednesday night. According to a Sevier County Sheriff’s report, 31-year old Blair Anderson was caught by Craig Malecker of Redmond, sneaking out the back door of his home. The sheriff’s report said that Anderson was also caught a few minutes earlier, breaking into another Redmond home but a neighbor confronted him. Anderson had been out on bail waiting for sentencing in a felony prescription drug fraud case at the time of the burglaries. Sheriff’s deputies said that Anderson has a history of breaking into homes in search of prescription medications.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-The North Sanpete Lady Hawks’ tennis team had a successful week in earning back to back victories against the Carbon Lady Dinos and Payson Lady Lions in Region 12 action.

The Lady Hawks vanquished Carbon 4-1 Thursday and earlier this week downed Payson, 3-2 while individual North Sanpete winners included Mikaela Angerhofer who won 6-0 6-0 in 2nd singles and Shayla Ricks who amassed 6-2, 6-0 wins in third singles.

Additionally, Lindee and Abby Christensen earned 7-5, 6-2 victories in first doubles and Kaytie Nielson and Lynsie Clark obtained 6-2, 6-1 wins in second doubles for the Lady Hawks.

Presently, North Sanpete is 2-0 in Region 12 play and 5-3 overall.

Next week, the Lady Hawks have two more Region 12 matches as they will meet the Spanish Fork Lady Dons Tuesday August 30 at Mt. Pleasant and travel to Delta to face the Lady Rabbits Thursday September 1, both matches are slated for 3:30 p.m. MDT.

Mid-Utah Radio/Television thanks Jeff Ericksen for providing this information!

MONROE, Utah (AP)-Karlee Fox and Shelby Sheriff each amassed hat tricks while Emeri Larsen and Shanlee Leatham also scored as the Millard Lady Eagles routed the South Sevier Lady Rams, 8-0 Thursday in non-region girls soccer action. Jaisha Wilcox earned the shutout in the win for Millard.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Baylie Pender scored the game’s sole goal and Ashlie Pender earned the shutout as the Beaver Lady Beavers edged the Richfield Lady Wildcats, 1-0 in non-region girls soccer action Thursday.

ENTERPRISE, Utah (AP)-Taylor Phelps posted 18 digs and 34 assists and the Enterprise Lady Wolves downed the Piute Lady Thunderbirds, 3-1 Thursday in non-region girls volleyball action.

(BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz.)-KPNX-TV, Channel 12 in Phoenix reports Bullhead City (Ariz.) Police say a Laughlin, Nev. man has drowned while attempting to cliff-dive into the Colorado River.

A police spokesman stated 23-year-old Samuel Lavonne Hamilton was pronounced dead after attempts to revive him at a local hospital.

The Mohave Daily News (Ariz.) reported authorities received a call Wednesday evening after witnesses stated Hamilton jumped into the water from the cliffs on the Nevada side of the Nevada-Arizona border formed by the Colorado River near a natural gas pipeline and did not resurface.

(ST. GEORGE)-Thursday, announcements were made for the Thunder Over Utah airshow slated for next March in St. George.

At the Warbird Museum near the St. George Airport, event spokesman Herb Gillen mentioned the show will feature a performance by the famed U.S. Navy Blue Angels to start the event.

Gillen says St. George, especially with the new airport, is a great venue for the show and the public is invited to attend.

For more information on tickets and other information, please visit www.thunderoverutah.com.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-In a report released Wednesday by the Utah American Civil Liberties Union, the state’s public defender system is failing to protect citizens’ constitutional rights as the state remains one of only two that does not provide state funds or oversight for public defense services.

The report, entitled “Failing Gideon: Utah’s Flawed County-by-County Public Defender System,” addresses the state in entirety but has placed emphasis on nine counties: Box Elder, Daggett, Duchesne, Iron, Kane, San Juan, Sevier, Uintah and Weber counties.

University of Utah associate professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law Emily Chiang said the report is not good saying the state has considerably fallen behind other states in terms of providing for citizens.

The study asserts only Utah and Pennsylvania do not provide state funds for public defenders while state legislators decided each county must bear financial and administrative responsibilities for providing public defense services.

In Utah, on average counties spend $5.22 per capita on public defense services, 44 percent below the national average of $11.86 per capita, the report states.

Nearly 20 years ago, the Utah Supreme Court called attention to the issue of adequate public defenders when deeming there was a “significant problem” with inconsistency while recommending the state create an appellate public defender’s office.

This never occurred, however, and the ACLU is outlining several criticisms of the current system such as public defense budgets often comprising 25 to 35 percent of the amounts budgeted for county attorney offices in the state, which prosecute cases and Utahns being assigned a court-appointed public attorney to receive those who have not yet had access to continual training or practiced with insufficient amounts of support staff.

Additionally, most counties do not have a criteria or guidelines to awarding public defender contracts or representing indignant defendants in court, among other matters.

The report asserts Utah must do a more effective job within its public defender system ranks to adhere to a 1963 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Gideon v. Wainwright which saw the high court rule a person accused of a state crime for which jail time is a consequence have a right to a state-appointed attorney to defend them against any charges, should they be unable to afford their own attorney.

The ACLU has stated Utah should meet its constitutional mandate set in the Sixth Amendment by taking a number of measures, such as adopting statewide standards and overseeing county public defender offices.

This also suggests the state subsidize counties’ public defense budgets.

(PAGE, Ariz.)-The body of a Colorado woman has been recovered from Lake Powell, The Associated Press reports.

The National Park Service reported they received a missing persons report and commenced searching for a woman after a man reported he had not seen his wife since Monday night.

The woman was reported as missing from a houseboat in Slick Rock Canyon while the Arizona Daily Sun of Flagstaff, Ariz. reports park rangers located the body in about 8 feet of water close to the houseboat.

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death and the NPS is assisting in the investigation while authorities have not yet released any names.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-While GOP members in Utah used a “political tracker” to monitor state Democratic party chairman Jim Dabakis during his southern Utah tour this week, the practice has traditionally been in place throughout the Beehive State.

For instance, Wednesday, State Republican Party Chairman Thomas Wright says he has already deployed several people to serve as trackers since assuming office at the beginning of the year.

Both Wright and Dabakis have said the purpose of these tracking devices is to know exactly what their opponent is saying rather than to exploit embarrassing moments.

Dabakis said the impetus of the GOP’s interest in his comments was a radio interview he conducted with party leaders who had expressed controversial viewpoints.

The trackers were used extensively during Utah’s 2010 governmental race with both current governor Gary Herbert and Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon employing them to get dirt on one another.

While trackers are expected to show up in 2012 for the presidential elections, University of Utah political science professor Matthew Burbank says the public is generally unaware the devices exist.

Burbank says the purpose of the devices is to capture gaffes so politicians can see them themselves, comparable to the way radio and television broadcasters have their performances recorded so they can review and improve.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Late Wednesday, experts told ABC-4 in Salt Lake City a one in four chance exists that a 7.0-magnitude earthquake could strike Utah within the next 50 years and residents should be prepared.

Barry Welliver of the Structural Engineers Association of Utah said recent events in Washington and other places along the Eastern Seaboard have depicted the destruction shakes can cause while a 7.0-quake along the Wasatch Front would cause roughly $37 million in damages and kill up to 2,900 people.

The areas likely to be hardest hit, Sugarhouse and Sandy’s eastern potions, straddle the fault line, while just last year, engineers took a sampling of 128 schools across the state, finding 60 percent are vulnerable to an earthquake and Holbrook Elementary of Bountiful is among those with the least amount of protection.

Welliver says schools such as Holbrook are most at risk because like many brick buildings constructed before 1975, they have all their weight in their walls.

Web site www.bereadyutah.gov, admonishes residents, who are most at risk during earthquakes, to have a plan, make a 72-hour kit and stock homes with food and water storage.

In April 2012, Earthquake Experts of Reston, Va., will conduct a statewide earthquake drill in Utah known as “Shake Out” to assist everyone.

(LOS ANGELES)-Thursday, the captain of an American Airlines Boeing 737 and a passenger were injured when a jet bridge connecting planes to the terminal at Los Angeles International Airport collapsed, throwing them at least 10 feet to the ground.

The pilot and passenger were exiting Flight 557 after it arrived around 6:40 a.m. PDT Wednesday from Chicago, stated airline spokeswoman Rhonda Rathje.

When they stepped onto the passenger loading bridge, the platform then gave way and fell to the ground.

Both were transported to Daniel Freeman Hospital at Marina Del Rey, Calif. in fair condition, according to a fire department spokesman.

The Los Angeles Times reported they complained of pain to their ankles, back and necks.

Rathje said the passenger was treated and released but did not know the status of the pilot.

LAX spokeswoman Diana Sanchez said the aircraft incurred no damage while the flight, which originated in Boston and had a stopover at Chicago, consisted of 107 carriers and crew members.

Sanchez said the cause of the collapse was still under investigation.

(NEWBERG, Ore.)-Thursday, more than 120 people evacuated an Oregon hotel following an early morning explosion while authorities are investigating whether this was the result of a drug-masking operation.

According to a report in The Oregonian, the blast occurred at 3:00 a.m. PDT at The Best Western Inn of Newberg, Ore., on the southwest periphery of the Portland, Ore. metro area.

Newberg-Dundee (Ore.) Police Captain Jeff Kosmicki says three people who had been in the room where the explosion occurred were injured.

A 29-year-old man was flown to a hospital with burns while a toddler and a 26-year-old woman were also hospitalized.

The extent of their injuries was not immediately known.

Kosmicki stated 123 people were evacuated and placed on buses while they, as of 5:30 a.m. MDT had not yet been allowed to enter the hotel again.

(ATHENS, Ga.)-As college students return to campus in Georgia, a new state policy has closed the doors to five of the most competitive state schools to illegal immigrants but a group of professors has found a way to offer such students a glimpse of that which they’ve been deprived of.

The five professors at the Athens, Ga.-based University of Georgia have started a program they refer to as Freedom University consisting of a rigorous seminar course once a week meant to mirror courses taught at the most competitive schools in the country and are aimed at students who cannot be taught such material under the new policy.

The policy, which was adopted last fall by the university system’s Board of Regents, bars any state college or university in The Peach State that has rejected any academically qualified applicants in the previous two years from accepting illegal immigrants.

This group consists of five Georgia colleges and universities: The University of Georgia, Atlanta-based Georgia Tech and Georgia State University, The Medical College of Georgia of Augusta, Ga. and Milledgeville, Ga.-based Georgia College & State University.

Illegal immigrants may still be admitted to any other state college or university, such as Georgia Southern University of Statesboro, Ga., provided they pay out-of-state tuition.

This new rule came in response to public concerns that Georgia state colleges and universities were being overrun by illegal immigrants, that taxpayers were subsidizing their education and legal residents were being displaced, among other concerns.

For now, the course they are being instructed in will have to suffice as an effort to expose the youths to a college environment and challenge them intellectually.

There will likely be no material counted for credit should these students be accepted to another school but professors say they are seeking accreditation thus making the credits transferable at a future date.

Georgia Board of Regents spokesman John Millsaps says generally faculty members at UGA are free to do what they want with free time, such as instruct these students, but said he did not have a sufficient command of the program to comment on this specific case.

In the interim, the professors have started an Amazon.com wish list asking people to donate textbooks for the students while also granting gas cards to volunteers who will drive students to and from class.

The program is currently taking applications, with the first class, American Civilization I, slated to commence September 8.

The five professors will rotate teaching the seminar courses on their own time at an off-campus location and all qualified applicants will likely be accepted unless there should be so many applicants that space constraints become too great.

(OREM)-With the assistance of a crane, a steamroller which went head-first into an Orem sinkhole was finally removed.

The roller sank approximately 15 feet into the road near 1100 West and 1200 North after driving on what seemed to be solid ground.

A spokesman for Orem-based Clyde Companies stated the roller may have caused damage to a gas line running through the area, resulting in the evacuation of several adjacent homes.

Orem City officials were evaluating the damage as of Wednesday, but it is not yet known when those evacuated will be able to return or the severity of the damage incurred in the area.

The spokesperson stated the roller has broken sewage lines and sewage is presently leaking into the hole.

The operator was able to escape as the roller sank and was not injured in the incident.

The cause of the sinkhole remains under investigation.

(WASHINGTON)-In a Gallup poll conducted Wednesday, results show long-time 2012 GOP presidential ticket front-runner Mitt Romney is trailing Texas governor Rick Perry by double digits.

Among the 1,040 Republicans surveyed by the Washington-based poll, 29 percent indicated they would throw their support behind Perry, while only 17 percent opted to vote for Romney.

Ron Paul of Texas finished third in the poll, obtaining 13 percent of the vote while Michele Bachmann of Minnesota was fourth, gaining 10 percent.

Relative GOP novice Jon Huntsman Jr. only gained 1 percent of the vote in the poll.

Frank James of National Public Radio says these results show Romney will have to adjust his present campaign strategy, saying he may have to persuade voters he is more “votable” than the Texas governor.

(OREM)-Utah Valley University officials have announced UVU will be the first institution of higher education in the state to offer free academic content via Apple’s iTunes U.

Earlier this month, the Orem-based institution began posting course content for on-demand download to students, faculty and the public at large.

People will be able to download video and audio of lectures, as well as class materials, on numerous courses through iTunes.

The iTunes software is required to download the content onto personal computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones.

Ray Walker, UVU’s associate vice president of the office of information technology says the content is presently available to anyone.

(RICHFIELD) – Gov. Gary Herbert addressed a packed conference room at the Snow College Richfield Campus today at a luncheon sponsored by Zion’s Bank. In a “State of the State-type” address, Herbert’s speech included issues affecting rural business leaders, including farmers, ranchers and other land owners. He spoke of the state of Utah as being one of the top states in the country for positive business attraction, balanced budgets and an energy-producing destination for oil and gas exploration and nuclear energy. Herbert praised the state for being one of the top states in the nation for job growth, even in a depressed economy. He took questions from the audience, consisting of business leaders, local and county officials and the public.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – A Holladay man convicted of fraud is facing new charges in connection with a scheme involving a Beaver County resort featuring a Jack Nicklaus golf course. Police reports said that 51-year old Marc Sessions, along with his 46-year old brother, Stephen Jenson, were both charged with four counts of communications fraud, three counts of money laundering and a count of a pattern of unlawful activity, all second-degree felonies. Prosecutors with the Utah Attorney General’s Office say the men devised as many as four different schemes to defraud investors, leaving victims millions of dollars in losses. According to the charges, the schemes involved the Mount Holly Ski and Golf Resort in Beaver County that would feature a Jack Nicklaus golf course and Olympic gold medalist, Ted Ligety, as a “ski director.” Other schemes involved a real estate development project at Malibu, CA., a wetlands preservation project in Utah and a loan entrusted to a local law firm for expenses in a civil lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company.

(PAGE, AZ.) – The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office has recovered the body of a reported missing Colorado woman at Slick Rock Canyon in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area. The sheriff’s report said the woman was on a houseboat trip with her husband, who reported that he had not seen his wife since the evening before. Sheriff’s deputies initiated a search for the missing woman and found her in about eight feet of water near the houseboat. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Park staff, in conjunction with the park concessionaire, provided logistical support for the family of the woman. The National Park Service assisted in the investigation.

(RICHFIELD) – A discussion over water rates was held at the Richfield City Council meeting Tuesday night. Some residents have expressed concern over how the rate is structured and why the rate is so high. City Manager Mike Langston said the rate is set by the Utah Division of Drinking Water for all cities across the state. He said that even with a $2.00 increase implemented in Richfield in January, the city remains in the bottom quarter percent of water rates throughout the state. Langston commented that when you consider pumping, storing, distributing and maintaining our water system, along with paying for debt service on the new water well and two new tanks, the city is operating water rates in a very cost effective manner.

(FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.)-The Arizona Daily Sun of Flagstaff, Ariz. reports the Hopi Tribe has filed suit against the city for the city’s sale of reclaimed wastewater to Arizona Snowbowl, a regional ski resort.

The tribe is asking a Coconino County (Ariz.) Superior court judge to find that the city’s contract to sell water is illegal and that it should be declared null and void and/or award the tribe unspecified financial compensation for suffering what it says it will experience should the plan go ahead.

The lawsuit says the city’s water sale will create a public nuisance and violate Arizona laws concerning where reclaimed water can be used.

Notably, the tribe has raised future plans for city water sources at Red Gap Ranch, attaching it to the reclaimed water sale and saying Flagstaff doubly infringes upon the tribe’s water rights.

The law governing tribal water rights dates back to a 1908 case where the U.S. Supreme Court discovered tribal reservations were guaranteed water rights sufficient to meet a reservation’s needs.

Presently, the city has an agreement to sell up to 1.5 million gallons of reclaimed water daily to Snowbowl from November through February.

This also comes at a time when a second lawsuit questions the possible human health risks of using reclaimed water to make snow for skiing and as contractors working for Snowbowl install pieces of water pipeline along Snowbowl Road.

Ultimately, federal courts sided with the U.S. Forest Service in a previous lawsuit, asserting snowmaking would violate tribal religious freedoms.

No monetary damages are specified in the suit, but the original claim filed with the city in February specified $40 million in damages.

The tribe first filed this lawsuit Friday in its capacity as a federally recognized tribe, and on behalf of the Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation that owns Heritage Square, the Kachina Square Shopping Center and the Continental Plaza Shopping Center, all of Flagstaff.

Tuesday, the city attorney declined any comment on the case.

(MONA) – A lightning-sparked wildfire burning west of Mona has blackened nearly 1,000 acres with no estimate of containment. Fire managers say the Long Ridge Wildfire ignited Sunday and is burning cheatgrass, sage and juniper trees in Utah’s west desert about six miles west of Mona. No structures are threatened and no roads have been closed.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The Bureau of Land Management held its quarterly oil and gas lease sale Tuesday in Salt Lake City and netted more than $86,000. In its official report, the BLM sold five of the ten parcels offered, with a total of nearly 3,000 acres of federal land located in the Fillmore Field Office. BLM officials said Sonja McCormick of Salt Lake City submitted the highest total bid per acre, at $110 on parcel number 11 containing 120 acres. She also had the highest total bid per acre at $62,335 on parcel number 10 containing 958 acres.

(PALESTINE, Texas)-Tuesday, convicted polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs was moved to his new permanent home, an East Texas prison at Palestine, Texas, after being jailed for sexually assaulting one of his child brides at a compound at El Dorado, Texas, occupied by members of his group.

The 55-year-old Jeffs was transferred from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Byrd Unit at Huntsville, where new inmates undergo physical and mental examinations, to the Powledge Unit, just outside Palestine, roughly 100 miles southeast of Dallas.

He was transferred to the prison at Huntsville two weeks ago after a San Angelo, Texas-based jury determined he should spend life in prison for sexual assault.

His victim was among 24 underage wives whom prosecutors say Jeffs collected.

He also received the maximum 20-year punishment on a separate child sex conviction.

The punishment was the harshest possible and the purported prophet will not be eligible for parole until he is at least 100 years old.

Prison agency spokesman Jason Clark said Jeffs will be in protective custody, which is among the most restrictive forms of imprisonment in Texas.

He will be alone in his cell daily, not be involved in any work programs and will only be allowed out of his cell for recreation and shower use.

Jeffs is among only 85 inmates in the 156,000-prisoner Texas corrections system to be assigned protective custody, the “ultimate protection to offenders,” Clark said.

Protective custody inmates are normally isolated because of serious, direct or proven threats to their safety.

On weekends, Jeffs will be allowed to see visitors consisting of a list of up to 10 people.

He will also be permitted to make phone calls to those on his visitors’ list who have registered with the Texas phone system provider.

However, his calls are limited to only 15 minutes and he cannot exceed 240 minutes per month and all calls will be recorded.

Clark said Jeffs’ protective custody status will be reviewed every six months by a classification committee.

The Powledge Unit opened in 1982 and consists of more than 1,100 inmates while it shares roughly 20,000 acres of land with four other Texas prisons.

Former sect members believe Jeffs will continue to conduct the affairs of the group from within his cell.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Government officials and business leaders will discuss ways to help unemployed military veterans during a forum in downtown Salt Lake City.

The Utah National Guard says the Military and Veterans Employment Summit slated for Thursday will focus on the 23 percent unemployment rate among younger veterans.

Colonel David Sutherland, the special assistant to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, will be among the summit participants.

Sutherland has traveled to every state and more than 250 communities throughout the past two years as part of the Pentagon’s Warrior and Family Support program.

Utah Governor Gary Herbert, Lieutenant Governor Greg Bell and unemployed veterans will join Sutherland on the panel.

(RICHFIELD) – Richfield City Councilmembers have approved several agenda items concerning new fees at the cemetery, parked trailers on private property and banner replacements on Main Street. At the City Council meeting Tuesday night, the Council discussed raising cemetery fees due to cost increases of maintaining cemetery plots and to be more in line with other cities of comparable size. Review of the new plot fees are available at the city offices. Also at the meeting, councilmembers discussed the parking of trailers on private property and approved the purchase of banners for Main Street. City Manager Mike Langston said the winter and spring banners are in poor condition and need to be replaced at a cost of about $7,000. He said the money would be taken out of road funds to pay for the banners.

(DUCHESNE)-Tuesday, a Roosevelt man died after being thrown from his pickup truck during a rollover crash three miles east of Duchesne.

Dispatchers were notified around 4:00 a.m. MDT Tuesday and received the report a truck had crashed on Duchesne County Road 29.

The caller reported the discovery of the body of 26-year-old Cole D. Horrocks in the middle of the road as well, according to Utah Highway Patrol Sergeant Ty Roberts.

Roberts said Horrocks appeared to be cold and had suffered a head injury, while also confirming CPR was never administered upon the victim.

Investigators believe tangible evidence at the scene indicates Horrocks had run off the road’s left shoulder and into soft gravel.

Next, Horrocks’ truck reportedly hit a ditch and rolled several times after which he was ejected.

Roberts said authorities believe speed played a role in the incident.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-During a Tuesday meeting, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff joined evangelical Christian leaders in applauding the Obama administration’s new deportation policy while blasting the tea party’s hard line on illegal immigration issues.

Shurtleff made his comments during a National Immigration Forum telephonic news conference Tuesday while the Republican said the tea party’s approach to this matter is “unrealistic and unworkable,” as well as debilitating to the GOP faction.

Shurtleff joined forces with the Reverend Sam Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Leadership Conference of Sacramento, Calif. and Jenny Yang, the advocacy and policy director for Baltimore-based World Relief, the humanitarian arm of the National Association of Evangelicals, for the panel discussion.

Last week, the Obama administration announced it will allow many illegal immigrants facing deportation the option to remain in the country while applying for a work permit.

In the interim, it has also directed immigration authorities to focus efforts on deporting criminals who threaten both public safety and national security.

Rodriguez said this decision is both American and Christian in nature while anything protecting the innocent honors God according to what is written in scripture.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has presently not commented on this particular matter but previous public statements made by the Salt Lake City-based organization have stated the forced separation of children from their parents is detrimental to society and weakens families.

The Church has also said it supports reform for anything allowing illegal workers to have the option to legalize themselves and support their families while becoming contributors to society.

Tea party members have previously called the new Obama administration “directive amnesty,” an assertion which Rodriguez refutes.

In closing, Shurtleff said he is disappointed that many of his fellow Republicans have adopted the tea party stance on this matter.

(EPHRAIM) – A Manti woman was injured in a rollover on SR-89 north of Ephraim Sunday night. According to a UHP report, 18-year old Breanna Sadler was traveling southbound in a 1995 Chevy Lumina, when she went off the right shoulder of the highway about five miles north of Ephraim and rolled her vehicle at about 9:45pm. UHP said Sadler was not wearing her seatbelt and was taken to the Sanpete Valley Hospital in Mt. Pleasant for treatment. Troopers are investigating as to why Sadler ran off the road.

(FILLMORE) – A lightning-caused wildfire has burned 165 acres on the Fishlake National Forest in the Fillmore Ranger District. Fire managers say the Woods Canyon Wildfire started Sunday and is about 90% contained. Fire crews continue to perform mop-up operations on the fire. The fire is burning cheat grass and scattered juniper trees and is not threatening any structures. No injuries have been reported.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Recent sampling of fish tissue has prompted a new mercury advisory by water quality regulators for three waterways and a new species of fish.

Donna Spangler, the spokeswoman for the state’s Department of Environmental Quality, stated the advisory has been extended to include black bullhead and the following locations: Recapture Reservoir in San Juan County, the Duchesne River near Tabiona in Duchesne County and the Bough Reservoir in Uintah County.

For more than a decade, the state has tested 322 bodies of water for mercury, with only 19 of these sites having average concentrations exceeding federal limits imposed by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

While there remain generally no health risks associated with swimming or other recreational activities in water with mercury, it can pose health risks to vulnerable populations, such as women who are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or nursing mothers.

The division also warns that chronic exposure to low concentrations of methyl mercury in fish may result in neurological effects in the developing fetus and children.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources spokesman Mark Hadley said the mercury findings in fish populations do not have an impact on the agency’s determination on where to stock for recreational fishing.

New and revised fish advisory spots include Newcastle Reservoir in Iron County, Red Fleet Reservoir in Uintah County and Steinaker Reservoir in Uintah County in addition to those previously mentioned and officials say any health risks associated with eating fish from these areas are based on long-term consumption trends.

The EPA advises that as states increase the waters they monitor for contaminated fish, both the frequency of advisories and the waters where it remains safe to eat fish are increasing.

If concerns should arise concerning mercury exposure by eating fish, a local health care provider can give additional details.

(WASHINGTON)-Jon Huntsman Jr., still a long shot to win the 2012 GOP presidential ticket, according to many political analysts, may have placed himself within the center of the political spectrum after being interviewed the past few days on both ABC News and CNN.

Huntsman has particularly gained notoriety for taking shots against Texas Governor Rick Perry and Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann, his rivals in the Republican race and a local commentator believes Huntsman may have done some effective work on these fronts.

University of Utah political scientist Tim Chambliss says Huntsman’s attempt to contrast himself with hardline conservatives is intriguing but the major crux of the matter remains whether he can have a constituency within his own party.

(LAS VEGAS)-A proposed pipeline to bring groundwater about 300 miles from Utah’s West Desert to Las Vegas may cost as much as five times more than current estimates under a worst-case scenario provided to officials reviewing the plan.

Pipeline opponents claim the estimated $1.5 billion price tag is another “black mark” against an already controversial project.

Nevada water officials, however, argue the study which was a requirement for part of the application, proves the project is feasible and that the biggest potential rate increase for water users is roughly $30 per month.

The study, conducted by Las Vegas-based Hobbs, Ong and Associates projects the pipeline could cost more than $7 billion to build while there would also be an additional $8 billion in interest payments should the pipeline be funded with 60-year bonds.

Southern Nevada Water Authority spokesman J.C. Davis stated the study was required to confirm this project could be completed even amid the worst possible financial circumstances.

This meant the numbers assume the authority will not generate any additional revenue from new users or earn interest income on reserve accounts.

The construction cost is more than double the numbers commonly used by the water authority while Davis said the discrepancy is because the authority is estimating the cost using current construction prices while the study used prices as they are projected over the course of the next two decades.

The project is currently being reviewed by the Bureau of Land Management, which will be accepting public comments through early October.

As proposed, the water would be brought to Las Vegas by allowing the network of pipes and wells in basins in Nevada’s Clark, Lincoln and White Pine counties as well as in western Utah’s Snake Valley.

In June, the federal agency released a document detailing the environmental effects of the project which would pump enough water to sustain about 440,000 Las Vegas households annually.

Today, our NFL preview spotlight shines upon the New Orleans Saints, a squad which has adroitly retooled itself to be in legitimate Super Bowl championship conversation.

For starters, until someone else proves it to me, Sean Payton is the best head coach in the business.

He is a mastermind at creating gameplans and he has the fortuitous fortune of having Drew Brees to execute them.

After being left for dead several years ago in San Diego, Brees has tossed for no less than 4,388 yards in any given season for the Saints while throwing 129 touchdown passes against 79 interceptions.

I am currently engrossed in Drew Brees’ autobiography and he is a template for overcoming adversity. For the record, I have forgiven him for his role in the labor strife which decimated our offseason because he just goes about his business like a professional.

Plus, I can look him in the eye, so that’s positive!

Anyway, as a Broncos fan, I also commend the Saints and general manager Mickey Loomis for robbing the Chargers blind once again by stealing Darren Sproles from under their noses.

Saints fans will love Sproles, as he does things better than ousted Reggie Bush ever did and will prove to be a horrendous mismatch for any Saints opponents this season.

Of course, the acquisition of former Heisman winner Mark Ingram in last April’s collegiate draft gives the Saints a legitimate backfield threat, something Bush never was, and incumbent Pierre Thomas should serve as a solid secondary option.

With a stable of fleet-footed wideouts returning, such as Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson and Lance Moore, I feel sincere empathy for defenses opposing the Saints this season.

If any defensive coordinator can expose a flaw, that man instantaneously becomes the coach of the year.

Defensively, the Saints have bulked up as well, as massive defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Aubrayo Franklin now rock the fleur-de-lis, making New Orleans even stronger.

Of course, there are many powerful teams in the NFC, so it will be fun to see the Saints duke it out with their NFC South rivals, the Falcons, as well as the Eagles in the playoffs, if it should come to that.

In short, New Orleans should win 10 or 11 games and perhaps as many as 13 or 14 if they can get past Atlanta in divisional play.

In closing, the Saints have the most attractive owner in the NFL because everyone knows Rita Benson runs the franchise, rather than senile Tom Benson.

Thanks for reading!

(JUNCTION) – An off-duty Millard County deputy and his wife were injured in an ATV accident Saturday on Kimberly Mountain in Piute County. A sheriff’s report said the pair were riding with another couple along Kimberly Mountain Road on the Paiute ATV Trail, when their brakes apparently failed at about 6pm. The report said the couple crashed into the back of the ATV of the other couple, nearly causing the other couple to go off the mountain road. The impact sent the deputy and his wife down the mountainside, becoming airborne and striking several trees before stopping in a ravine. Neither the deputy nor his wife were wearing a helmet and were thrown from their ATV. The sheriff’s report said the deputy was lifeflighted to the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo in serious condition and his wife was transported by ambulance to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield for her injuries and later lifeflighted to the Provo hospital. No names have been released in the accident.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP)-Tuesday, the first National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association football polls were released with the Snow Badgers appearing in the Top 10.

Snow, which is coming off a 10-2 finish last season, will start the era of new coach Tyler Hughes with the #7 ranking in the nation.

Corsicana, Texas-based Navarro Junior College is the #1 ranked team in the nation to start the season while Snow’s Western States Football League rival, Arizona Western, of Yuma, Ariz. is #5.

Also representing the WSFL in the preseason Top 25 are the Eastern Arizona Gila Monsters of Thatcher, Ariz. who check in with the #18 overall ranking.

Other members of the Top 10 include Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C. of Perkinston, Miss. at #2, El Dorado, Kan.-based Butler C.C. at #3, Blinn C.C. of Brenham, Texas at #4, Hutchinson, Kan.-based Hutchinson C.C. at #6, Pearl River C.C. of Poplarville, Miss. at #8, Senatobia, Miss.-based Northwest Mississippi C.C. at #9 and Georgia Military of Milledgville, Ga.

(AXTELL) – A Centerfield man was taken to the hospital with injuries after his car was hit by a truck driven by an Axtell man on SR-89 Friday night about 10:15 PM. According to a UHP report, 41-year old Tony Hancock of Centerfield was traveling northbound in a 1989 Nissan Sentra, when a 1997 Ford F-150, driven by 17-year old Chad Boore of Axtell, ran the stop sign at the intersection of the Axtell Post Office and hit Hancock’s car. UHP said Hancock was not wearing his seatbelt and was transported to the Gunnison Valley Hospital with arm injuries. Boore was also not wearing his seatbelt but was not injured. He was cited for failing to stop at the stop sign.

(TRIPOLI, Libya)-Libyan rebels stormed Moammar Gadhafi’s main military compound in Tripoli Tuesday after intense gunfights with loyalists to his regime, stomping on a bronze bust of the longtime leader who is still unaccounted for.

Opposition fighters descended upon the area by the hundreds, although joy was tempered when Gadhafi’s forces were putting up resistance elsewhere.

The rebels swiftly seized momentum, swarming about Gadhafi’s former residence and decimating any images of the leader who had, until Monday, ruled the North African country for nearly 42 years.

It was not immediately clear whether Gadhafi or immediate family members were in the compound when breached by rebels, but the battle’s intensity led many to believe he was somewhere inside the compound.

Gadhafi’s former right-hand man, Abdel-Salam Jalloud confirmed to Al-Jazeera Television that he believed the Libyan dictator to be moving about Tripoli’s outskirts, taking shelter at private homes, small hotels and mosques.

Jalloud defected from Gadhafi’s camp earlier this month.

Despite the rebels’ success, NATO cautions the situation in the Libyan capital city, which consists of 2 million people, remains tenuous and promised the alliance will continue bombing loyalist forces to the 69-year-old Gadhafi should they continue to fight.

Brussels-based NATO officials said the alliance’s warplanes were flying over the city Tuesday, but there were no bombing runs as of yet.

(BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK)-Last week, an international visitor was killed by lightning along the Rim Trail between Sunrise and Sunset Points in Bryce Canyon National Park.

The National Park Service reports 51-year-old Volker Kunz of Hamm, Germany was killed at the park last Thursday, August 18.

Around 12:20 p.m. MDT Thursday, Kunz and his family were on the Rim Trail near Sunset Point when a rapidly-developing thunderstorm approached the area.

The family began returning to their vehicle to seek shelter from the rain and Kunz sought refuge under a large ponderosa pine.

Lightning then struck the tree and shocked Kunz, resulting in his death.

Family members then ran to the Bryce Canyon Lodge for assistance and a registered nurse in the area discovered he had no pulse, prompting park rangers and Garfield County emergency medical technicians to attempt reviving him.

He was later taken to Garfield Memorial Hospital in Panguitch while all subsequent attempts to resuscitate him proved unsuccessful.

Park rangers remind visitors to seek shelter immediately if the sound of thunder follows a lightning flash within a span of 30 seconds or less.

Additionally, visitors should not seek shelter under a tree or high point of land, but rather in a building or vehicle, authorities caution.

(PROVO)-The Provo Daily Herald reports a Utah lawmaker wants to give colleges and universities the ability to collect from schools whose students end up in remedial classes.

The Herald says Highland Republican Representative John Dougall is drafting a measure that would enable colleges to bill high schools should a student be required to take remedial classes amid their higher education experience.

The main cost of the remedial class would still not be paid for through tuition under Dougall’s bid, he said, but high schools would possibly incur the bill not covered by additional costs by the students’ portion of tuition.

The bill is still in the early stages of being crafted and in Utah, nearly 19 percent of all students going to college currently are taking a remedial class.

Dougall wants high schools to stand behind their diplomas and stated a diploma should signify a student is ready to enter college.

(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County Commissioners have reduced the county’s debt by $800,000 over the past fiscal year. During Monday’s Commission meeting, Auditor Rick Roberts reported that the county’s debt service had been reduced from $16.2 million to $15.4 million. The audit also showed that a portion of a CIB loan on the Sevier Valley Center had been paid off, after reassigning a series of revenue bonds. Roberts said the county had done a good job during Fiscal Year 2010 to increase revenues, while at the same time reducing expenditures. Commissioner Gary Mason commented that the results of the good report was due, in large measure, to the excellent staff the county employs to balance its budget each year and keep costs down. Also at the Commission meeting, a public hearing was held over the issuance of bonds to fund the EMS/Monroe City Maintenance building.

(FREMONT) – Two lost hunters and a camper were found by Sevier County Search and Rescue Sunday after spending Saturday night in the Seven-Mile area near Johnson’s Reservoir north of Fishlake. According to Sevier County Sheriff’s deputies, 23-year old DJ and 24-year old Ashley White of Salt Lake City were hunting on the mountain with DJ’s father and after shooting an elk, got turned around and became lost. They were found on Lost Creek Road, hungry but otherwise, in good condition. The sheriff’s report also said that while Search and Rescue were looking for the lost hunters, they assisted Piute County deputies with a search for a Huntsville man, who had been camping in Big Flat near Upper Box Creek in Piute County. The report said that 45-year old Joseph Gehrlein had been going to Koosharem to get gas but never returned. He had been missing since Saturday. Officers found the man on the switchbacks below Upper Box Creek Reservoir at his broken down vehicle.

(LAS VEGAS) – A study says a plan to pipe water from an aquifer straddling the Utah-Nevada state line could nearly double water bills for residents in Nevada’s largest city. The study, submitted to Silver State officials to demonstrate construction feasibility of a 285-mile pipeline from the Snake Valley area in Utah to Las Vegas, shows that an average water bill of $36, could nearly double by $31. The study also revealed that with other system upgrades, expenses could push average water bills above $90, according to Las Vegas-based Hobbs, Ong and Associates. Pipeline foes say the report’s total project cost is closer to $15.5 billion, compared with $3.6 billion, that the utility originally projected. They said cost of the project would make the it unaffordable for Las Vegas residents.

Today’s NFL preview features a look at the New England Patriots, a squad which has all the pieces in place ON PAPER.

With that said, this is why I love the NFL, as unlike college football at the I-A level, we get to see playoffs and in these postseason matchups, the unexpected often happens.

Not many expected to see the 14-2 Patriots stumble in the divisional playoffs against the hated AFC East rival New York Jets last season.

Oddly enough, the Pats have not won any postseason games since the 2007 AFC Championship game after which they lost to the New York Giants in that season’s Super Bowl, thus ending their unbeaten season.

From that time on, the Patriots, with classy owner Robert Kraft, have made numerous acquisitions in hopes of restoring their recently strong legacy, which has seen them win three Super Bowls this century.

Oddly enough, weird circumstances have befallen the Patriots in each instance and with tough AFC opponents such as the Jets, Colts, Steelers and Ravens, among others, looming in the wings, New England will have to play their best to exorcise their recent demons.

The Patriots’ starpower is well known, as signal-caller Tom Brady and receiver Wes Welker, among others, are the best in the league at their positions.

New England’s defense features studs such as Patrick Chung, Vince Wilfork and Brandon Merriweather so talent is there, but I’ve watched too much football to concede anything to the Pats.

We shall see, and once again it’s nice having football back!

(SALT LAKE CITY) – Rep. Jason Chaffetz says he will not run against fellow Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch in the 2012 election. Sources close to Chaffetz’s campaign say the 42-year old congressman had been positioning himself for a run against Hatch for several months and held town hall meetings outside his 3rd Congressional District. Chaffetz said instead, he’ll seek a third term in Congress. A Deseret News/KSL-TV poll in June indicated that a Chaffetz-Hatch matchup would have been an exciting race, with an evenly divided electorate. Among a smaller sample of voters, who said they would likely vote in a Republican primary, Hatch was favored over Chaffetz, 47% to 44%. The 77-year old senior Senator is seeking a seventh term in the Senate.

(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County Commissioners have approved a state grant to fund the Victims of Crime Act. VOCA Director Shelley Haupt says once state officials see the value of how the county handles the program, they’ll move toward continued funding of the act. At the County Commission meeting today, Haupt presented a review of the program to Commissioners. County Attorney Dale Eyre said the program will also help reimburse witnesses in prosecution cases, where they pay their own expenses to testify in court. Commissioners also approved $60,000 for the operation of the Children’s Justice Center in Richfield. Eyre commented that the State Department of Protective Service will use the CJC facility for vulnerable adults, who suffer the same abuse as children, who are victims of crimes perpetrated on them.

(TUCSON, Ariz.)-KPHO-TV, Channel 5 in Phoenix reports a group representing Cochise County (Ariz.) Sheriff Larry Dever in the legal battles swirling about Arizona’s controversial immigration law, SB1070, is seeking $60,000 in donations to file a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.

In fundraising letters, the Border Sheriff’s Group says it has raised $29,000 and needs $31,000 more for the brief, lest SB1070 remain blocked by the courts.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer’s office is attempting to persuade the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case, overturning an April decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Arizona Daily Star says Dever wants to submit a “friend of the court” brief, stating why the high court should not take the case.

SB1070 was originally designed in July 2010 to give state and local police a greater role in arresting illegal immigrants.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports parents of 9th graders in Utah will notice a significant paradigm shift for their children as they study mathematics this year.

The majority of Utah 9th graders will now be taking Secondary Mathematics I, which combines elements of algebra and geometry.

This switch is part of a gradual phase-in of Common Core State standards, new academic standards that promises to change what students in each grade are expected to learn in math and language arts in hopes of better preparing for them for careers in college.

The idea behind these new math courses is to integrate mathematical concepts to more effectively reflect how math is used in everyday life.

This is also expected to change the way teachers instruct students, asking them to think more about problem solving and real world applications instead of simply mimicking a process to receive an answer.

State associate superintendent Brenda Hales is calling this a major change and goes more in-depth than previous studies for 9th graders.

Utah is one of 46 states and territories that have adapted to the Common Core Standards, which were developed as part of a status-led initiative while all math and language arts changes will be fully integrated into the state curriculum by 2015 and first instigated by these changes.

Other changes will be phased in incrementally as by the time these incoming freshmen are seniors, students will be ready to take precalculus, Advanced Placement statistics or concurrent enrollment classes.

Honors versions of these secondary mathematics classes will also be offered and students enrolled in these honors courses will be ready for Advanced Placement calculus as seniors.

In order to graduate from high school in the state, Utah students will be required to complete three years of math, which carries over from the last set of rules.

This year, 6th grade math will change as well, becoming more rigorous than it previously has been, while the process will continue throughout students’ junior high careers.

Hales said only the Alpine School District in the state will maintain previous standards, giving instructors more time to prepare for the changes.

Kelli Buxton, the former Parent-Teacher-Student Association president of Brighton High says she believes these new courses will better prepare kids for the ACT as they will build on the same concepts from year to year.

(YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo.)-Yellowstone National Park, long a pioneer in assisting visitors with disabilities to still have a good time in the region while for the past year, the park has begun offering a trail guide for tourists in wheelchairs.

This guide, produced by the park’s interpretation division, features a newly improved booklet which breaks down the park into eight zones, including attractions in the Mammoth, Norris, Madison and Old Faithful areas, among others.

Although Yellowstone was first established as a national park in 1872, wheelchair accessibility has not been improved in select areas of the park.

The largest wheelchair accessibility project currently underway is at Norris Geyser Basin while crews are presently constructing a ramp running from the head of the North Basin Trail past Steamboat Geyser en route to the back basin area.

Upon completion of the ramp, park spokesman Dan Hottle says crews will remove the existing stairs and rehab the old trail.

They will also look into improving accessibility around the old Norris Museum, connecting it with a ramp into the Porcelain Basin.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-A bio-art project to create bulletproof skin has given a Utah State researcher considerable hope his genetically-engineered spider silk can be used in assisting surgeons to heal large wounds, creating artificial tendons and ligaments.

Researcher Randy Lewis and his collaborators gained worldwide attention recently when they discovered a commercially viable way to manufacture silk fibers while using goats and silkworms possessing spider genes inserted into their makeup.

Spider silk is among one of the strongest fibers known and five times stronger than steel.

While Lewis’ fibers are not that strong, they are stronger than that which is usually spun by silkworms.

With Lewis’ assistance, Dutch artist Jalila Essaidi conducted an experiment which entailed the weaving of lattice of human skin cells and silk capable of stopping bullets fired at reduced speeds.

Essaidi, who used a European genetics-in-art grant to fund her project at the Designers & Artists 4 Genomics Awards, initially wanted to use Lewis’ spider silk from goats to capitalize upon the “grotesque factor” of the mammal-spider combination.

Essaidi had initially intended to fire .22 caliber bullets at the “skin” stretched in a frame but decided to place the skin on a special gelatin block used at the Netherlands Forensic Institute in The Hague, Netherlands.

While using a high-speed camera, she depicted a bullet fired at a reduced speed piercing the skin woven with an ordinary worm’s silk, the skin tore

When using Lewis’ genetically-engineered silk and the bullet was grafted between the epidermis and dermis, the skin did not break.

Lewis could not give a timeframe for when his product could be safely used as it would require FDA approval but within the next two years, he has stated his interest in working with animal testing while spider silk has already proven to be compatible with the human body.

In Logan, Lewis has begun breeding his famed goats for the next round of milking in January while he has about three dozen of the genetically-engineered goats remaining from the last round.

(SANDY) – Several wild horses trained at the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison will be up for adoption at the 13th Annual Wild Horse and Burrow Festival in South Jordan this weekend. The festival, hosted by the Bureau of Land Management, will take place Friday and Saturday at the Salt Lake County Equestrian Park in South Jordan. The two-day event will feature about 45 selected wild horses and burros, including six select halter/saddle-started horses from the Gunnison Prison, one saddle-started horse that will be competing in show and 25 ungentled wild horses plus ten burros available for adoption. The adoptions are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 3pm Friday.

(WASHINGTON)-Although Texas would be among the biggest beneficiaries of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, Governor Rick Perry, who has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2012 GOP presidential ticket, is looking to block the groundwork for such a plan developing in his state.

In becoming a national candidate, Perry has totally repealed Obamacare in any way he can while if the Supreme Court ultimately upholds all or parts of the law, Perry has signaled he would assist in carrying out key provisions to avoid defaulting to the federal bureaucracy.

Texas has thus far received various grants under Obama’s law for planning, insurance regulation and consume education while the state’s employee benefits system says it expects to draw $60 million in federal subsidies this year to help cover its early retirees, cashing in on a provision of the law.

The purchasing pools proposed by Texas Republican John Zerwas of Simonton, Texas, have been vetoed by Perry and are known as exchanges, one of the key features of Obama’s law.

When run by the states, they would enable consumers to buy coverage from a selection of private plans.

Most individuals and families in the exchanges would be eligible for federal tax credits in hopes of lowering the premiums.

Exchanges are expected to open as of 2014 and if a state fails to act in advance, the law authorizes the federal government to set up and run its exchange.

Since the Texas Legislature only meets every other year, this past session has been seen as perhaps the state’s only opportunity.

In the end, Zerwas says Perry assured him that as governor, he could place the exchange legislation into place via executive order, should such a measure become necessary.

A spokeswoman for the federal Health and Human Services Department said this would be possible under a newly flexible approach taken by the feds.

A spokeswoman for Perry, Lucy Nashed, said he believes there are too many unknowns concerning the federal law to move ahead and presently, Texas still has the nation’s lowest rate of insurance coverage, even when compared to other states featuring high immigration populations.

Nashed stated Perry has a wide array of health care fixes, including national caps on malpractice lawsuits, conversion to electronic medical records and continual efforts to keep patients healthy and out of hospitals.

Additionally, he signed legislation this year which would pave the way for Texas to explore a health care overhaul in conjunction with other states.

(WASHINGTON)-Monday, visitors got the first-glance look at a memorial dedicated to the late Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., including a towering granite sculpture inspired by the civil rights leader’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

The site opened, generally bereft of fanfare, at 11:00 a.m. EDT Monday and commences a week of celebrations ahead of the official dedication slated for Sunday.

At the time, a few hundred people had lined up outside the site by late morning on a warm sunny day.

A stream of people filed into the site, reading some of the 14 quotations from King’s speeches inscribed into a 450-foot long granite wall.

The memorial is located on the National Mall near the Tidal Basin, between memorials honoring Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson and the 30-foot monument dedicated to King is larger than either of the others, which are both 20 feet high.

The sculpture depicts King with a stern expression and wearing a jacket and tie, his arms folded as he clutches papers in his left hand.

Sunday will be the 48th anniversary of King’s famed March on Washington and his famed “I Have a Dream” speech.

It is expected President Barack Obama will speak at the occasion.

(WASHINGTON)-The Associated Press reports GOP presidential candidate Jon Huntsman Jr. believes the U.S. is a “center right” country politically while the public is desperately demanding a middle ground, something he claims to offer.

Huntsman says his Republican rivals, as well as current President, Barack Obama, are on the “political fringes.”

Huntsman is denouncing Obama as being too liberal while all the other Republican candidates have “zero substance” and lean far to the right.

Huntsman, who is presently languishing in national polls, saved his harshest criticism for a television interview featuring two of the candidates atop the 2012 pack, including Texas Governor Rick Perry and Minnesota Representative Michele Bachmann.

Huntsman denounced Perry for expressing skepticism concerning man-made global warming and criticizing the nation’s central banker while calling Bachmann delusional for her claims she can bring the nation’s gas prices to below $2.

Huntsman expressed optimism concerning his chances of winning in New Hampshire and South Carolina after which he plans to bring things back to Florida for a win.

(RENO, Nev.)-Police say a Saturday shooting at the University of Nevada-Reno campus which came within nine hours after a similar, yet separate, incident in the area prompted a four-hour lockdown of dormitories at the university.

UNR campus police chief Adam Garcia says a man who is not a student suffered a gunshot wound to the leg after being shot Saturday night near the Fleischmann Building.

A university police spokesman stated the lockdown ended after 12:00 a.m. PDT Sunday.

Reno police stated the second shooting comes three hours after a Friday burglary attempt near the campus.

Police say the incidents appeared to be unrelated, although both involved a resident and burglary suspects.

(WALSENBURG, Colo.)-The Associated Press reports the notorious Dougherty siblings were due in court Monday at Walsenburg, Colo. where they were expected to be tried for an alleged multistate crime spree.

These three individuals, 29-year-old Lee Grace Dougherty, 26-year-old Dylan Dougherty Stanley and 21-year-old Ryan Edward Dougherty, are expected to formally charged with attempted murder and assault Monday afternoon in Huerfano County (Colo.)

The trio has been detained in neighboring Pueblo County in the interim, but last week prosecutors announced they believe Huerfano County to be the proper venue.

A crosscountry manhunt for the Dougherties ended in Walsenburg August 10 after a high-speed chase along Interstate 25.

Authorities say the trio robbed a Georgia bank and shot at police officers in Florida and Colorado while they are also suspects in two Utah car thefts.

(ESCALANTE) – National Weather Service officials reported that up to three inches of rain fell during a heavy thunderstorm over the weekend near Escalante, prompting flood warnings. NWS said Sunday’s storms at the headwaters of the Escalante River produced flash floods warnings in several areas, including North Creek, Birch Creek and Dry Fork. Most warnings expired Sunday night. A flood advisory for small streams in Uintah and north-central Grand counties was also in effect Sunday night. In spite of the warnings, only minor flooding occurred in areas affected.

Today’s NFL preview article involves the Minnesota Vikings, a squad which is among the most intriguing in the NFL.

After giving up on America’s most notorious gloryhound Brett Favre, the Vikings sought to bolster themselves at quarterback by drafting ex-Florida State standout Christian Ponder in the NFL Draft while also bringing in ex-Eagle and Redskin Donovan McNabb as soon as the lockout ended and retaining Joe Webb, a prodigious prospect who is also adept at playing wideout or tailback in certain offensive sets.

While McNabb will take the reins in the interim for Minnesota, he will have some assistance from Adrian Peterson, who in only four seasons of work has amassed 5,782 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns.

Despite losing Sidney Rice in free agency to Seattle, the Vikings still have plenty of targets for McNabb, including wideouts Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin, along with tight end Visanthe Shiancoe who is looking to rebound to his 2009 form when he hauled in 11 scoring receptions.

Minnesota’s defense has been ravaged of late with Ray Edwards and Ben Leber departing, but cornerback Antoine Winfield returns and will be the type of mentor Minnesota desperately needs to remain afloat amid a torrent of transactions.

Ultimately, while the Vikings do have some solid pieces in place, they are in an extremely competitive division with defending champion Green Bay and resurgent Detroit looming in the wings.

Since the Bears are quarterbacked by Jay Cutler, I say the Vikings can leapfrog them in the division, but it is rare to see three teams from a division make the postseason.

Thus, while the Vikings should be 9-7 or even 10-6, I see them falling short of the playoffs, perhaps on something as disappointing as percentage points.

Nevertheless, under new coach Leslie Frazier, the Vikings will compete and give trouble to all opponents on their schedule.

Of course, I could be wrong about Minnesota’s postseason chances and if so, I’ll gladly own it.

Thanks for reading, Vikings fans, and once again, without Brett Favre, I respect you much more!

In today’s NFL preview series, we have a two-parter, beginning with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs, who had been mired in mediocrity for several years prior to 2010, finally turned things around behind a solid rushing attack led by Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones assisted Kansas City in winning the AFC West.

The major factor for Kansas City is signal-caller Matt Cassel who last year threw for 27 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions while amassing 3,116 yards and completing 58 percent of his passes.

The Chiefs also boast a solid defense with Eric Berry, Tamba Hali and other versatile players.

Kansas City will face a challenge from a resurgent Denver team, as well as bitter rivals in San Diego and Oakland and to me, they will be hard pressed to repeat the feat of winning a divisional crown.

I’ll put the Chiefs down for seven wins, but as always, if I’m wrong, I’ll own it. Thanks for reading.

DELTA, Utah (AP)-Christian Hatch and Colin Christensen each ran for touchdowns but it wasn’t enough as the Manti Templars doubled up the Delta Rabbits, 28-14 Friday in non-region football action.

COALVILLE, Utah (AP)-Keegan McQueen had a 2-yard scoring run and Nathan Rees also scored as the North Summit Braves blanked the Beaver beavers, 12-0 in non-region football action Friday.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Pancho Alcala nailed a 35-yard field goal and the Millard Eagles rushing offense clicked all evening en route to a 44-13 pummeling of the North Sanpete Hawks Friday in non-region football action. Alcala also ran for a pair of scores and returned an interception for another touchdown to pace Millard.

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)-Rylan Anderson ran for 66 yards and a score and Jayden Rogers added 58 yards on eight more rushes as the Gunnison Bulldogs gashed the South Sevier Rams, 17-0 in non-region football action Friday.

KANAB, Utah (AP)-Brandon Jenson tossed three touchdown passes and the Kanab Cowboys got past the North Sevier Wolves, 21-7 Friday in non-region football action. Joey Edwards scored on an 11-yard run in defeat for the Wolves.

CASTLE DALE, Utah (AP)-David Dyer hauled in scoring passes of 26 and 50 yards and the Emery Spartans pummeled the Richfield Wildcats, 27-0 in non-region football action Friday. Dominic Rondinelli added a 41-yard scoring run for the Spartans.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Dakota Marshall caught a 60-yard touchdown pass and added a 6-yard scoring run as the Canyon View Falcons clipped the Juab Wasps, 28-13 in non-region football action Friday.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)-Ridge Neal and Zach Oviatt each doubled and West Ridge edged the Panguitch Bobcats, 6-5 Friday in non-region baseball action. Jory Owens tripled in defeat for Panguitch.

SALINA, Utah (AP)-Dalila Rodriguez had two goals and the American Leadership Lady Eagles pounded the North Sevier Lady Wolves, 6-1 in non-region girls soccer action Friday. Miranda Wilcox scored in defeat for North Sevier.

DELTA, Utah (AP)-Britton Leavitt had two goals and the Dixie Lady Flyers got past the Delta Lady Rabbits, 3-1 Friday in non-region girls soccer action. Elise Waddingham had the sole goal for Delta in defeat.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Ashlie Braun and Katie Lawely each amassed hat tricks and the Canyon View Lady Falcons pounded the North Sanpete Lady Hawks, 8-0 in non-region girls soccer action Friday.

EPHRAIM, Utah (AP)-Ali Rosquist and Shaylie Prignore each had two goals and the Manti Lady Templars smacked the South Summit Lady Wildcats, 7-0 Friday in non-region girls soccer action. Cozette Gordillo, Kelsi George and Shelby Stevens also scored while Heidi Richardson and Klarissa Shaffer combined on the shutout for Manti.

(ELY, NV.) – Friends and family of missing West Valley City mother Susan Powell are frustrated with new information police said might lead to her disappearance. WVC police, along with other agencies, are scouring a desert area near Ely, Nevada, where new information was received that might lead to her whereabouts but Jennifer Graves, Powell’s sister-in-law, said all the media attention brings back too many sad memories. Graves said Powell never mentioned the area near Ely where police are searching and says her family has no connection to the area. Police are searching in an area where old, abandoned mine shafts are located, some several hundreds of feet deep. Graves said, in spite of the media hype, at least the press conference has once again, focused the spotlight on searching for Powell. Graves is hoping that during the search, something will turn up and provide a break in the case.

(ST. GEORGE)-Wednesday, Town & Country Bank of St. George announced Curt Bracken to its Board of Directors.

Beforehand, Bracken had been serving on the bank’s 24-member advisory board which includes a group of the bank’s stakeholders providing consultative input, fulfilling special assignments and promoting bank visibility.

Bracken and his family have lived in Washington County since 1994 and after studying business finance and management at Brigham Young University, he began selling real estate.

In 1996, he founded PEAK Financial of Waltham, Mass., a residential mortgage company.

Bracken currently owns and operates several businesses, including four ServiceMaster Clean franchises serving southern and central Utah and Nevada, AAA Disaster Services, a full-service restoration company and Bracken Investments, a commercial development and leasing company.

He is also an equity stakeholder in a venture capital group that owns and operates Five Guys Restaurant franchises throughout Canada.

(WASHINGTON)-Young children brought to the United States by undocumented immigrants will be among those least likely to face deportation under new administrative guidelines announced Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security and the White House.

In a letter addressed to Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said this new direction is a way to lighten the load concerning law enforcement’s push to target dangerous and undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds living within U.S. borders.

In a statement, Durbin praised the move while it is believed this directional shift will allow immigration judges to determine on a case-by-case basis whether these are low priority deportations that need to be removed.

Estimates are the new policy could affect more than 300,000 of the nation’s more than 11.2 million undocumented immigrants.

Mary Giovagnoli, director of the Immigration Policy Center, welcomed the news while also stating the need remained to ensue on the path toward comprehensive irrigation reform.

Among those who may benefit is 20-year-old West Valley City resident David Morales who is facing deportation after being picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while traveling to Louisiana for seminary school last year.

He was arrested and detained for reportedly being in the country illegally although he was first brought here by his parents at the age of 9.

Presently, he is awaiting a hearing in immigration court while his case has proven to be a matter for the Salt Lake Dream Team, an activist group, to take up.

The Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act passed the U.S. House in December 2010 but in the Senate, it fell five votes short of the 60 needed to end the debate, moving it to a vote.

Among those who didn’t vote in December was the DREAM Act’s initial and primary author, Utah senior senator Orrin Hatch.

Hatch wrote this DREAM Act 10 years ago as a way to provide relief for children brought to the U.S. illegally by allowing them to attain legal status upon graduation from high school, attending college or serving in the armed forces while maintaining a clean record.

Cherilyn Eagar, the co-founder for the Utah Coalition on Illegal Immigration and a Republican running for Congress said the move wasn’t a welcome one.

Eagar also said the move to prioritize undocumented immigrants with criminal records ignores those who have committed crimes but have not been caught, primarily those using fraudulent Social Security numbers and victimizing U.S. citizens.

(SANTA FE, N.M.)-While prosecutors have nearly completed wading their way through lists of numerous defendants, many have negotiated pleas agreements and obtained probation.

However, for those who have sold the artifacts legitimately, much work remains to ensure the credibility of the profession can be restored.

Dace Hyatt, a Show Low, Ariz.-based restoration expert who has served as an expert in cases stemming from the raids and fellow members of the Antique Tribal Arts Dealers Association organized a discussion of the raids this week during the Whitehawk antique show, the nation’s largest and longest-running Indian artifacts show.

Concerns raised during this meeting echoed the sentiments of dealers and collectors: that the federal government should not have relied upon undercover informant Ted Gardiner to make their case.

At this time, Hyatt was armed with federal court documents he obtained while working on these cases as part of an effort to determine the market value of some items Gardiner had purchased with government funds as part of this sting operation.

This value was integral in determining whether the defendants would be charged with federal felonies instead of misdemeanors.

In one case, Gardiner paid $2,800 for four stones that looked like ordinary rocks and at best, Hyatt said, the stones could have netted $100 on the open market.

The FBI evidence list referred to the stones as three prayer sticks and a mountain lion fetish and after seeing photographs, the dealers and collectors in the audience laughed at the suggestion.

The markup for the 25 items Hyatt reviewed averaged more than 700 percent, he said while Hyatt and others said people were harassed and the case was blown far out of proportion.

The FBI, Bureau of Land Management and other agencies involved in this raid are standing behind their investigation, but have generally declined comment since a civil lawsuit is now pending and a handful of defendants have yet to get their day in court.

All 24 of the government’s cases hinged upon Gardiner, an artifacts dealer who secretly recorded more than $335,000 in purchases over two years from people later accused of digging, collecting, selling or trafficking in artifacts taken from both federal and tribal lands.

In March 2010, three weeks before the 52-year-old Gardiner was scheduled to testify, he committed suicide at his home near Salt Lake City.

Jim Owens, a retired attorney and avid collector from Albuquerque, N.M. said the idea of a black market was perpetuated by Gardiner as he tried to sell both the FBI and BLM “a bill of goods,” he said.

It was known Gardiner suffered from substance abuse and mental health issues while his son Dustin told The Associated Press his father believed he was doing right by agreeing to be an informant.

Aside from this debate over whether a black market exists, a fight is also brewing over who is now in the best position to act as caretakers for the millions of historical fragments floating through the market or currently sitting upon shelves at museums or in government warehouses.

Many who gathered at the meeting expressed frustration, saying they had hoped federal officials would provide them with a better understanding of what happened in 2009 and why it occurred.

Santa Fe, N.M. attorney Kate Fitz Gibbon said the problem is many artifacts were excavated decades or perhaps even centuries ago before Congress had enacted laws protecting archaeological sites and cultural property.

She also suggested to federal officials and dealers that they appreciate the contributions of previous generations did to open the public’s eyes to the “beauty, meaning and message” of different cultures.

(NEW YORK)-While making a Thursday appearance on the Greta Van Susteren on FOX News, former John McCain running mate Sarah Palin said there is room in the tea party for Utah senior senator Orrin Hatch.

Hatch issued a response via press release Friday, stating he is grateful for Palin’s support as he continues to engage in the fight to help the GOP win back the Senate and that Palin is highly respected by Utahns as well as the national conservative movement.

Earlier Thursday, Van Susteren penned a blog post, questioning the wisdom of tea party efforts to undermine Hatch’s candidacy for reelection in 2012.

(ELY, NV.) – West Valley City Police have no new information concerning the disappearance of WVC mother Susan Powell. At a news conference held this morning in Ely, NV., WVC Police Sgt. Mike Powell, said law enforcement received information concerning the disappearance of Powell Thursday and needed to follow up on the data in a desert area of Ely, NV. He said the media was invited to participate with law enforcement in the search and further details will be made available at noon today (Friday). Up to 40 searchers are combing an area in Ely, where new evidence initiated an additional search.

(DES MOINES, Iowa)-The Associated Press reports that the demand for canola, best known for the cooking oil it produces, is continuing to rise while the industry is presently working to grow more of the plant in the U.S. in hopes of keeping up with increased sales.

Experts stated the best hope of meeting demand is to grow a variety of canola planted in the fall and harvested in the spring while this measure would grant farmers in certain regions the chance to make use of their land during a generally dormant period.

Most of the nation’s canola crop is grown in the spring while it is harvested in either the late summer or early fall.

Roughly 90 percent of U.S. canola is grown in North Dakota but by growing more winter canola, industry officials believe its acreage in the U.S. could more than triple.

Brian Jenks, a professor at North Dakota State University, said the country needs to keep pace with canola’s growing demand, which is seen as a healthier alternative to oils containing more saturated fat.

The U.S. has used just over 3 billion pounds of canola oil in 2010, with about 2.5 billion pounds being imported from Canada, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service of Washington.

The canola plant, recognizable for its yellow flowers, produces pods filled with seeds and when crushed, these seeds yield oil while they can also be used for livestock feed.

Winter canola has been effective in Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri where it is planted after another crop is harvested, according to Kentucky-based crop consultant Brian Caldbeck, a process known as double cropping.

Caldbeck says growing winter canola in areas throughout the Upper Midwest, such as Iowa, is possible but would be more difficult as the region primarily grows corn and soybeans, two crops often not harvested until late fall.

To grow winter canola, farmers in the Upper Midwest would would need to rotate other crops, such as wheat and oats, with corn and soybeans.

This would represent a paradigm shift for many farmers as they often now alternate between corn and soybeans.

Ames, Iowa-based Iowa State University agronomist Mary Wiedenhoeft is also studying how winter canola can be grown in Iowa, saying that planting the crop on ground which would otherwise remain dormant after the fall harvest would not only add a source of revenue for producers but would also help retain nutrients in the soil.

Researchers stated many farmers would likely be reticent to grow crops other than corn or soybeans, given the high prices commodities are bringing now as well as the likelihood prices will be strong well into the future.

(LINCOLN, Neb.)-The Associated Press reports governors from several states affected by this year’s historic overflow of the Missouri River were slated to meet Friday in hopes of discussing ways to avoid a repeat of destructive floodwaters which have submerged thousands of acres of farmland, forcing residents from their homes.

Some have said they would push for better flood control, but experts have warned that the broader, long-term preventive flooding measures will require economic sacrifices from individual states as well as an approach to controlling the nation’s longest river.

Governors representing Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, along with Iowa Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds and a representative for Wyoming’s governor were slated to meet in Omaha, Neb. Friday to discuss options for keeping the river within its banks.

The Missouri River has been overflowing for months because of significant snowpack from the Rocky Mountains and a rainy spring, wreaking havoc at various points along its 2,341-mile path.

Releasing water from reservoirs earlier than usual has been discussed but leaders are cognizant that this will affect farmers to give up land for floodplains and limit barges hauling grain and other things along the river.

Having less water in upstream dams would mean less water for boating and fishing in upriver states, thus creating fewer reserves during dry summer periods which could be debilitating for wildfire and worsen drought conditions, stated Tim Cowman of the Vermillion, S.D.-based Missouri River Institute, which studies the river basin regions.

In interviews occurring ahead of the meeting, governors and other state officials said they planned to unite around safeguards, such as levee repairs and improved river-level gauges.

Differing priorities between states both upstream and downstream have long been hard to bridge, but Nebraska Governor Dave Heinemen said the scale of this year’s flooding should assist states in finding common ground.

J. Michael Hayden, the executive director of the Missouri River of State Associations and Tribes of Lawrence, Kan. says previously governors have made promises to assist one another but little progress has been made, as he cited a 1993 report which came after similar situations struck.

Iowa farmer Leo Etterland, the spokesman for Farmers For Responsible River Management says the farming industry has taken a backseat and desires to have levees repaired to protect farmland.

The Missouri River ran largely untamed until the 1950s when dams were built as part of a nationwide initiative to control and harness the power of waterways.

When Congress approved plans for the dam, lawmakers required the Army Corps of Engineers to maintain the river for flood control, navigation, irrigation, power generation, municipal and industrial water supplies, recreation and wildlife preservation.

Corps spokeswoman Sarah Rivette cautioned against demanding sweeping changes based on one flood season and recalled not too long ago that the issue was low river flows, rather than flooding.

(WEST JORDAN)-According to a late Thursday report, construction on the Mountain View Corridor, which will connect Lehi to Salt Lake County, is a third of the way complete.

By the end of 2012, the Utah Department of Transportation says the Mountain View Corridor will provide a travel alternative for motorists, connecting Lehi with 5400 South in Salt Lake City.

To begin, it will consist of two lanes in either direction, with stoplights at certain intersections.

In the future, UDOT officials say traffic will begin flowing on a full freeway without stoplights from Lehi to Interstate 80.

Construction on this 15-mile segment commenced last summer and in Utah County, construction has primarily occurred on a three-mile stretch of highway along 2100 North between Redwood Road and Interstate 15.

Work on this section is slated for completion this fall.

(ELY, Nev.)-Thursday, police announced a possible lead in the investigation into missing West Valley City mother Susan Powell who first disappeared more than a year ago.

West Valley Police released a statement, saying detectives from the department will search in the Ely, Nev. area and investigate information already received.

It was expected the search would occur Friday while West Valley City Police Sergeant Mike Powell said he was limited in the amount of information he could reveal Thursday.

It was anticipated police would release more information about areas they were searching in Friday.

Susan Powell’s husband, Josh Powell, told KING-TV, Channel 5 in Seattle, he heard West Valley City police had a “credible lead” and it was the best news he’d heard in two years.

Josh Powell says he will rely on media reports to see if his wife is close to being found.

Steven Powell, Josh Powell’s father, spoke with KING, concerning the possibility Susan Powell may have run away with Steven Koecher, who was also reported as missing from Utah in December 2009 while in the Las Vegas area.

Steven Powell asserted that coincidentally, Ely is between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas and a possibility exists that if the duo is together, they could have chosen to be in Ely.

Susan Powell’s best friend, Kiirsi Hellewell, said Susan’s friends and family have planned a Saturday event to remind the public of her disappearance as well as the $10,000 reward that has been offered in the case.

The event is expected to occur in both Utah and Puyallup, Wash., Susan Powell’s hometown.

Meanwhile, Josh Powell’s story and his perpetual refusal to cooperate with investigators is leaving a heavy cloud of suspicion around him and he has since moved back to Puyallup with his family.

Steven Powell said he believes his son is innocent and after talking with his son, has come to a “resolute conclusion” that Josh has nothing to do with his wife’s disappearance.

Thursday, White Pine County (Nev.) sheriff’s office officials said he referred calls to West Valley City police and stated they had not been asked to assist in any search efforts Friday.

(HOOPER)-The Ogden Standard-Examiner reports that missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serving in the Utah Ogden Mission stopped a car burglary by asking the burglar to stop.

Weber County Sheriff Terry Thompson released this statement Thursday, saying the near-incident occurred at an LDS chapel in Hooper.

The statement asserts nine LDS missionaries came out of the chapel and saw a young white male stealing the stereo out of their car while the missionaries asked the suspect to “please” reinstall the stereo.

The suspect then had a short conversation while they then took his picture and left in a vehicle while the missionaries got his license plate.

Late Thursday night, the suspect was found at another Hooper chapel where his stolen vehicle at the time had broken down.

For an unspecified reason, he decided to get high and wait to be found, the Standard reports after which Ogden Police authorities located him, taking him into custody.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Members of the newly-formed presidential search committee at the University of Utah have commenced conducting a series of public meetings in hopes of gathering feedback in what various groups expect in the next president at the state’s flagship university.

After former President Michael Young stepped down to accept the presidential position at the University of Washington in May, committee chairman Nolan Karras says with the U.’s induction into the newly formed PAC 12 conference, a leader is needed who can reflect the quality and leadership in both sports and academics that the institution desires.

Karras stated he has been involved in the search for at least six past university presidents across the state while he served as chairman of the Utah Board of Regents from 2002-2006 and has served as a board member for 10 years.

Karras said this upcoming series of public meetings are designed to give the selection committee a feel for what people expect in the new president.

A meeting last week involving minority students and faculty confirmed many people at the university desired a president who would promote diversity and advocate for academic ideals among the state’s lawmakers.

A Latino faculty member with the College of Education, Enrique Aleman Jr. said that with the change in the state’s demographics, a new president for the U. should recognize the strength and importance of minorities.

Meanwhile, alumni who donate to the university and members of the business community have stated they want a president who possesses charisma and can promote the U. to the outside world.

Karras said hearings will be conducted through September after which the search for candidates will readily commence.

Karras said the search committee should list about 12 or so candidates after which the Utah Board of Regents will peruse the list, which will not be made public.

However, the final three candidates will be revealed before any public decision is made.

It is expected the whole process will take a year.

(FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.)-Navajo Nation officials struck with a civil lawsuit which alleges they used tribal money as personal slush funds and mismanaged outside funding are concerned this complaint could impact their ability to access the capital market for a list of numerous unfinished projects.

Earlier this year, the tribe secured its first credit rating in history, an “A,” which New York-based Standard & Poor’s stated reflects the strong finances upon the country’s largest American Indian reservation which includes revenue-generating natural resources, taxes and a $1 billion trust fund.

However, 85 people, including former and current lawmakers, the former tribal president, the controller, and the attorney general were recently accused of defrauding the tribe in its use of discretionary funds.

A special prosecutor contends they, as well as 50 unnamed defendants, benefited from $36 million or failed to regulate the funding meant for elderly tribe members, student scholarships, or others facing significant hardships.

LoRenzo Bates, the chairman of the Tribal Council’s Budget and Finance Committee and a defendant in the lawsuit says the tribe’s economic development is contingent upon the ability to attract investors and this “frivolous lawsuit” places such prospects in danger.

The Navajo Nation has been preparing its list of projects that it intends to finance via both taxable and tax-exempt bonds when the lawsuit was filed.

The new civil complaint replaced some criminal charges prosecutor Alan Balaran had filed against Navajo lawmakers that were unresolved.

On this list are major economic development projects, such as casinos, shopping centers and school buildings, as well as power and water lines.

The tribe had long considered financing its needs with bonds but did not have the right political mix within the tribal government to get it done according to tribal controller Mark Grant.

Internal funds were instrumental in helping build the tribe’s first casino as well as obtaining a loan from Cleveland-based KeyBank which partially financed judicial and public safety facilities.

However, most projects have not yet been addressed.

The Navajo Nation received this credit rating in May, becoming one of only two tribes that have a rating for general obligation bonds with Standard & Poor’s, stated company spokesman Olayinka Fadahunsi.

Unlike other tribes the company deals with, the Navajo Nation does not rely on gaming to deliver services to tribal members as 30 percent of its general fund, excluding federal money, comes from natural resources.

An additional 20 percent emanates from taxes and nearly another 20 percent has been generated from leases.

Grant said the tribe expects to fulfill its debt service by setting aside a percentage of general funds while in the event of a severe default, the billion-dollar Permanent Fund could be used with a two-thirds vote of the Tribal Council.

Grant was unavailable for any comment about any damage from the new civil lawsuit.

Grant previously said he was fully confident that tribal officials would quickly line up their priorities to assist in building the economy on the reservation where unemployment is around 50 percent.

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP)-Chandlie Stratton had two goals and the Dixie Lady Flyers mowed over the Millard Lady Eagles, 6-1 Thursday in non-region girls soccer action.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)-Graysee Murphy amassed a hat trick and the West Lady Panthers bested the Pine View Lady Panthers, 5-2 in non-region girls soccer action Thursday.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Cierra Robinson and Makayla Warby each scored and the Cedar Lady Reds bested the Waterford Lady Ravens, 2-0 Thursday in non-region girls soccer action. Tara Shipp earned the shutout for Cedar.

(EPHRAIM)-Since the dedication of the Huntsman Library on the Snow College Ephraim campus last year, the former library, named after famed educator Lucy C. Phillips, has undergone numerous extensive changes.

Thursday afternoon, a special ceremony commemorated these changes with college president Scott Wyatt presiding.

The building, which now bears bright yellow paint on the wall of every classroom, not only honors Phillips, as it was her favorite color, but also stimulates learning, stated Marvin Dodge, the administrative services and finance vice president at Snow, who spoke during the hour-long presentation.

Additionally, Jannette Anderson of the college’s English department spoke, as did emeritus English faculty member Roger Baker and Phillips’ niece, LaRae Phillips Bunnell Clark while Snow English teacher David Rosier shared several poems from the era in which Phillips taught on the campus.

Wyatt closed the meeting by saying this dedication will be the impetus of honoring prestigious Snow College figures of the past while reminding the audience, which numbered about 200, that education is the greatest industry in our society and is essential to preserving democracy.

(NOGALES, Ariz.)-KPNX-TV, Channel 12 in Phoenix reports federal authorities confirmed they have shut down a drug smuggling tunnel in the border town of Nogales, Ariz.

Tuesday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents identified the tunnel after seizing more than 2,600 pounds of marijuana from three suspected drug smugglers.

The tunnel is approximately 90 feet long, three feet wide and three feet tall.

Authorities say approximately 45 feet of the tunnel is on the Arizona side with an additional 45 feet being found in the Mexican state of Sonora.

They say the tunnel had ventilation tubing, tools and an electrical cord.

Agents say the three arrested included an 18-year-old Nogales man while the other two were a 19-year-old man and a juvenile, both of whom were from Mexico.

(DUCHESNE)-Last weekend, an elderly Duchesne County woman died while her husband was seriously injured after an incident investigators are calling a case of murder-attempted suicide.

Thursday, Duchesne County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Travis Tucker said the woman who died Saturday, was identified as 82-year-old Mary Ratliff of Duchesne.

Tucker stated the woman had been stabbed but did not provide any further details about her injuries.

Her husband, 75-year-old Charles Dodd was found dead nearby, unconscious and suffering from a head laceration and stomach knife wound.

He was taken via ambulance to the Uintah Basin Medical Center in Roosevelt and later flown to a Salt Lake City hospital where he was deemed to be in “good condition” Thursday.

Tucker said homicide charges were being prepared against Dodd, who could be released and appear in court by week’s end.

Tucker said deputies had gone to the couple’s home after a family friend reported Dodd had been making suicidal statements.

Tucker said investigators also discovered hand-written notes and other physical evidence at the home, leading them to believe a murder-suicide was intended.

(EUREKA)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports crews have contained the West Sahara wildfire and were spending time Thursday to shore up remaining hot spots in the blaze which has scorched nearly 1,100 acres of grass, brush and pinyon in the backcountry of Juab County.

Central Utah Fire Interagency spokeswoman Wende Wilding stated the fire, initially ignited by lightning Monday, has been hemmed in by firelines, sand dunes and ATV trails about 10 miles south of Juab County’s Little Sahara Recreation Area.

Thursday, about 25 firefighters and a helicopter were keeping watch for any potential flareups.

Also declared contained were the 350-acre Twin Fire in Utah’s west desert, about three miles west of Interstate 15 near Cove Fort in Millard County.

No structures have been threatened in either fire and no injuries have been reported.

(LAS VEGAS)-A proposal to pipe groundwater 300 miles from the Utah West Desert to Las Vegas has received negative feedback even from the area that would most benefit from the system.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports most people who testified at a Monday hearing in Henderson, Nev. spoke against the pipeline while opponents say it will kick up dust and deprive deep-rooted plants of water.

Supporters include some members of the business community and construction industry who say Las Vegas needs to diversify its water supply.

Presently, the city draws 90 percent of its water supply from the Colorado River, via Lake Mead.

The Bureau of Land Management is continuing to conduct hearings about whether the agency should allow the pipeline on its lands.

Two hearings this week are slated for Nevada.

(COLORADO CITY, Ariz.)-With polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs incarcerated for lift, a contention is heating up concerning who should lead his organization which straddles the Utah-Arizona border.

William E. Jessop, the man who earlier this year claimed to be the rightful president of the sect, has sent an open letter to Jeffs’ full brother, Lyle Jeffs, who is apparently in command for the time being.

The letter admonishes Lyle Jeffs to come clean for immorality both he and Warren Jeffs have committed through the years.

The letter was delivered to all post office boxes in the twin communities of Colorado City, Ariz. and Hilldale, Utah.

In the interim, it appears Lyle Jeffs will do nothing to resolve matters as he has sent out a counter message to the group, saying Jessop’s words are poison.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Data shows the number of Utahns working in July is a bit higher than at this same time last year, according to new jobs data.

The state Department of Workforce Services reported Thursday that the nonfarm wage and salaried job count for July 2011 expanded by 2.5 percent compared to July 2010, a 12-month increase of some 29,500 jobs.

The total wage and salary employment in the state is currently 1,200,600.

For the month, the unemployment rate registered 7.5 percent for July 2011, virtually the same as last month’s 7.4 percent.

Approximately 101,400 Utahns are considered unemployed.

Nationally, the U.S. jobless rate was 9.1 percent.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-New airport screening software designed to be less invasive has been installed at the Salt Lake City International Airport and other airports around the country.

Vera Adams, the Transportation Security Administration security director for the state stated Wednesday that the upgraded system will no longer generate detailed images of individual passengers, a process widely panned as being too evasive.

Adams says the update eradicates the passenger-specific image and instead uses a generic computer-generated image, such as an avatar, while a computer display places a yellow box on the image in the area where the scanner detects something that may be a weapon or explosive.

When this happens, Adams said, the passenger is subjected to a patdown.

Should the equipment not detect items that could possibly be a weapon or explosive device, a computer display simply displays the message “OK,” while the passenger is then free to ensue toward the departure gate.

Adams believes passengers should be able to get through this upgraded screening process more swiftly while fewer TSA officers will be needed to help resolve alarms.

The Automated Target Recognition software works on 241 minister wave Advanced Imaging Technology units while Salt Lake City’s equipment upgrades were completed last Sunday.

Some 500 individual screening station upgrades have been completed with upgrades on compatible units at 40 airports scheduled during the next few months.

The TSA says the software upgrade costs a total of $2.7 million while airports that do not use equipment compatible with The Automated Target Recognition software will continue to use their existing equipment.

Adams stated passengers at all U.S. airports still have the option to be screened by hand if they do not want to pass through a body-scanning machine.

The upgrades are “definitely a significant improvement” toward privacy, according to Karen McCreary, the executive director of the ACLU of Utah.

An increase would see more pat-downs, which still create a privacy concern and McCreary would also like to know if it is possible for machines to store the higher-resolution images of people’s bodies and whether those images could be leaked.

Passengers going through security Wednesday morning did not notice anything different, while none of a handful of travelers asked for their reaction to the new software had strong feelings about the procedure either before or after the upgrade occurred.

Utah Representative Jason Chaffetz has long been a vocal opponent to TSA screening systems while they produce detailed images of individual passengers.

A representative from his office said Chaffetz is vacationing with his family and has not yet commented on the new procedures.

(CEDAR CITY) – Two Cedar City businesses were evacuated Wednesday afternoon when a brush fire threatened the structures on the city’s south end. Public safety dispatchers said the flames moved down a hill and inched toward a state liquor store and a Home Depot near 1500 South Providence Center Drive, before crews were able to control the fire at about 4:45pm Wednesday.

(BOISE, Idaho)-Idaho’s unsettled renewable energy landscape is again bedeviling the state’s utilities regulator with a solar developer in Elmore County battling Idaho Power Co. of Boise over lucrative renewable energy credits accompanying a 20-megawatt project.

Grand View PV Solar Two, which is building the second phase of its project in southern Idaho has lodged a complaint with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission of Boise, alleging the utility is attempting to steal its credits, also known as “green tagging.”

These certificates are deemed lucrative for small renewable developers who can sell to utilities in states such as Washington or Oregon presently under the gun to satisfy statutory green-power mandates.

Solar project lawyer Peter Richardson states Idaho Power has never had any legal right to them and they are stealing RECs while forcing them to give half of them before inking a contract.

On its part, Idaho Power Co. has stated it wants to boost electricity it receives from solar projects, but only wants it on its own terms.

The utility says it needs to secure a share of these green tags from Green View’s development in Elmore County as well as other projects, because it may eventually need them to fulfill federal renewables requirements, should they ever be passed by Congress.

Earlier this year, Seattle City Light, a utility in the city, bought the renewable energy credits from a 22-megawatt Idaho wind farm for approximately $1 million annually.

Meanwhile, Idaho Power, under regulator orders, must sell its own green tags, from its Oregon wind projects and Boise-based U.S. Geothermal’s Raft River geothermal power plant, for millions in hopes of offsetting ratepayers’ bills.

A proliferation of new energy technologies now being added to legacy electrical systems such as Idaho Power has sent waves through the regulatory world and periodically created confusion and conflict while the Public Utilities Commission attempts to keep up with changes as it hopes to fulfill its mandate of giving ratepayers fair deals.

Presently, the Idaho Commission is attempting to figure out how to best determine just how much solar developers should be paid by utilities for their electricity.

This is a concern for Boise-based Interconnect Solar which fears a delay ordered last week in hopes of the state getting a handle on things may doom its project.

Public Utilities Commission spokesman Gene Fadness has said staying abreast of these changes is creating a “brave new regulatory” world and Idaho isn’t alone as he said other states are attempting to figure out the best way to integrate small, entrepreneurial electricity producers into utility systems which have enjoyed monopolies extensively.

(CHEVY CHASE, Md.)-According to a statement from the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction has been proven to be more than bad behavior, it is also a chronic disorder.

The Chevy Chase, Md.-based organization says addiction is a criminal problem and former president Dr. Michael Miller says it is a brain problem with behavior manifesting itself in other areas of life.

The new definition was created partially for the purpose to “destigmatize” addiction by clarifying the role biology plays in the disorder.

Industry professionals have already commenced in denouncing the definition, saying it does not give enough weight to behavioral factors.

This new definition has emerged after four years of study involving the efforts of more than 80 experts who describe addiction as a “primary disease,” not the result of other problems, such as emotional or psychiatric issues.

Dr. Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse at Bethesda, Md. has said the behavior problem in question results from brain dysfunction.

Volkow says certain people are more vulnerable to addiction and even if an individual should be biologically predisposed toward addiction, experimenting with alcohol or drugs may rewire the brain’s reward system.

Meanwhile, John M. Grohol, the founder and editor-in-chief of Newburyport, Mass.-based PsychCentral, the Internet’s oldest and largest independent mental health and psychology network, asserts ASAM’s new definition places too much emphasis on biology and only glancing over the “messy stuff” such as environment and psychology.

For instance, part of the definition, ASAM concludes, is that genetic factors comprise half of the likelihood an individual will incur an addiction.

Grohol wrote the new definition fails to clarify how the brain deals with addiction and by emphasizing the brain disease model over the “more accepted” bio-psycho-social model of addiction, ASAM is only highlighting scientists’ general ignorance concerning the goings-on in the brain.

University of Nevada-Reno psychologist Steven Hayes has found people associated negative feelings with the word “disease” in a similar way that they associated negative feelings with words such as “drunk” or “intoxicated,” thus making this finding more ignominious.

(WEST VALLEY CITY) – West Valley City police announced this morning a possible lead in the investigation of missing woman, Susan Powell, who disappeared more than a year ago. Police reports say that a team of WVC police and detectives will arrive in Ely, NV. and the surrounding area, to conduct a search and investigate the information received. WVC Police Sgt. Mike Powell said he was limited in the information he could release but said it definitely needs to be followed up. He said more information will be released on Friday. Susan Powell, a mother of two, has been missing since Dec. 7, 2009. The night before she went missing, Powell’s husband, Josh, told police he allegedly took his two young children camping in single-digit temperatures in a remote part of Tooele County in the middle of the night. He said when he returned the next morning, his wife was gone. Josh Powell’s story and his refusal to cooperate with investigators, has left a cloud of suspicion surrounding him. He’s since moved back to his home state of Washington with their two children.

Today’s NFL preview brings us the Indianapolis Colts, a team which remains a solid contender notwithstanding a dearth of fanfare thus far during the abbreviated training camp/preseason period.

While other on-paper contenders such as Philadelphia and New England have brought in high-profile free agents, the Colts are anxiously awaiting the return of legendary signal-caller Peyton Manning, who in my opinion is the G.O.A.T., despite my status as a Broncos fan, from a neck injury.

At this stage of his career, Manning has better stats than Brett Favre did entering his 14th season and has a 2-1 TD/INT ratio, an impressive number for a signal-caller who throws as much as he has.

While Manning has lost his longtime mentor Tom Moore, he retains plenty of weapons including receivers Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon and (hopefully) Austin Collie, who has had a significant amount of concussions the past few seasons.

Additionally, versatile tailback Joseph Addai returns as does Javarris James, a back who I think can be a solid component of Indianapolis’ offense in 2011.

The Colts’ defense should be bolstered with a rare big guy as ex-Bear Tommie Harris has a chance to be the best Indianapolis defensive tackle since Tony Siragusa.

Additionally, much of the core of a small, yet swift and hard-hitting, defense returns with staples such as Gary Brackett, Antoine Bethea and Jerraud Powers hoping to improve upon a relatively disappointing performance last season.

No matter how bleak Manning’s prognosis may be, I know he will be under center September 11 at Houston and continue to lead this team as he always has.

I see the Colts winning 11 or 12 games this season as they always do and I admire management’s approach to retain talent already in place, realizing that with Manning in charge, circumstances are always propitious.

Do not be surprised if the Colts become the first team in NFL history to host a Super Bowl.

Until then, I can hardly wait for the regular season and to watch things unfold.

Thanks for reading!

(FILLMORE) – Millard County Commissioners have approved a resolution with Juab County in support of a preferred alternate route for construction of a transmission line through both counties. TransWest Express initially proposed to build a transmission line to go through Lynndyl and Leamington Canyon in Millard County but Commissioners wanted the company to divert the line from those areas. Commissioners from both counties continue to discuss the alternate route with TransWest. Also at the Commission meeting Tuesday, Commissioners approved a form for Mt. Moriah Stone Quarry for storing explosive material in the county and approved a federal aid agreement for signage on high-risk roads in the county.

(BRYCE CANYON) – Bryce Canyon National Park officials will hold an open house this Thursday to discuss a proposed transportation plan. The open house will be held at the Park in Garfield County and National Park Service officials are looking forward to the public’s input. NPS Spokesman Dan Ng said planners are at an early stage in the planning process and public comments will help identify problems and shape solutions the plan should explore. In 2000, Bryce Canyon adopted an alternative transportation system to address congestion within the park and the adjacent community of Bryce Canyon City. Park officials say that with increasing visitation to the park over the past decade, the transit system is at or near full capacity during peak periods. The open house will be held Thursday from 6-7pm in the Colorado Plateau Conference Room at the Bryce Canyon Visitor’s Center, across from the park’s entrance station.

(MONA) – A manhunt continues for a burglar caught in the act of stealing from a Nephi police officer’s home in Mona. Police reports say the officer arrived home last night and found the man at his home. The burglar fled the scene and headed to the mountains of Mona in a truck. Police said a chase ensued, in which items fell out of the back of the truck, including a stolen motorcycle from Nephi. During the chase, the man’s truck became high-centered and he fled on foot. The Juab County Sheriff’s office says the man is believed to be armed and dangerous after authorities found a box of rifle ammunition in his truck. The Utah County SWAT team is assisting in the search, along with a highway patrol helicopter.

Today’s preview swirls about the Houston Texans and once again, the only thing to ponder is if this is finally the year an immensely talented team makes the playoffs.

One cannot make any significant assertions after one preseason game but the Texans’ aggression and excellence on defense in last Monday’s preseason opener against the New York Jets has to be the springboard for some semblance of optimism in H-Town.

As a Broncos fan, I know new Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is a savant who can do nothing except coach defense but his reputation for putting solid defensive units together is well deserved.

With perpetual AFC South power Indianapolis sporting possible potential G.O.A.T. signal-caller Peyton Manning, it is obvious Houston goes nowhere unless the defense is vastly improved as last season the Texans were 29th of 32 NFL teams in points allowed, giving up 26.7 per contest.

Offense, however, is an asset for the Texans and should continue to be so in 2011 as stellar signal-caller Matt Schaub tossed for 4,370 yards, 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2010 while completing nearly 64 percent of his passes.

Next to him in the backfield is Arian Foster, who despite never being drafted is the defending leading rusher in the league as last season he ran for 1,616 yards and 16 scores while amassing 604 more receiving yards and two touchdowns.

The leading receiver in franchise history, Andre Johnson, returns to bolster a strong receiving corps which also features the likes of Jacoby Jones, Kevin Walter and Joel Dreessen.

Kicker Neil Rackers, who celebrated a birthday Thursday, is coming off a campaign where he made 90 percent of his field goal attempts, so the special teams is also working in order and should continue to do so.

Thus, once again, if the defense is able to make sufficient improvement, the Texans are in position to go places and instantaneously become a darkhorse for a Super Bowl run.

Again, citing my Broncos affection, I have long been a supporter of Texans head coach Gary Kubiak and I would hate to see him axed if the team fails to make the postseason so I will express some support for Houston.

Whatever happens in the NFL from one season to the next is anyone’s guess but I can say I look forward to seeing the Texans perform for better or worse.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The United States Department of Agriculture has approved over $280,000 to go towards 19 projects administered by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food for farmers to grow specialty crops. UDAF Spokesman Larry Lewis said the money will be used to enhance the competitiveness of other Utah specialty crop producers. Lewis said the state received 36 applications for a total of over $1 million in funding but the USDA granted only a quarter of the amount requested. A UDAF report said that most of the money will go to the Extension Service at Utah State University for expanding weather stations, propagation of Utah native plants, turfgrass improvement, fungus eradication and other projects.

(SEVIER) – A Utah mining company has submitted an operational plan to the Forest Service to excavate mineral deposits on its mining claim north of Sevier. Green Solutions Mining and Minerals, Inc. have submitted the plan to Fishlake National Forest officials to mine about two miles north of Sevier on about 57 acres in the National Forest. The proposed mining activity would involve surface excavation from a two-way haul road with a 34-foot driving surface. Mining officials say a 36-inch wide conveyor belt will transport the material through an existing culvert under I-70 to the sales area, located on private property. Company personnel say the mining activity will not occur within an inventoried roadless or wilderness area.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Orrin Hatch and his campaign team are fed up with groups aligning themselves with the TEA-Party, labeling them as hypocrites and political has-beens struggling to remain relevant. Campaign chiefs say the groups, including FreedomWorks and Club For Growth, have repeatedly attacked Hatch over the debt debate and other issues, saying he’s not conservative enough. Hatch’s campaign manager, Dave Hansen, says he won’t lie back and take such attacks, particularly from people who have a long voting record of their own. Hansen referred to Club For Growth President, Chris Chocola, who voted three times as a congressman to raise the debt ceiling and FreedomWorks Chairman, Dick Armey, who voted at least twice to raise the debt ceiling. Hatch says that on the debt fight, his position mirrored that of TEA-Party groups, supporting a plan to balance the budget and cap federal spending.

(SANTA FE, N.M.)-The Santa Fe New Mexican and KRQE-TV, Channel 13 in Albuquerque, N.M. reports rural areas of northern New Mexico are about to enter the digital age.

The New Mexican states the Redi Net project is expanding high-speed Internet service to more than 120 government institutions, schools and hospitals in Santa Fe, Los Alamos and Rio Arriba counties while this also includes several pueblos in the city of Espanola, N.M.

The expanded Internet service will be paid for with federal stimulus dollars.

Officials say the expansion of high-speed Internet into rural areas could make these portions of New Mexico more “business-competitive.”

They also cited how high-speed Internet can improve the lives of residents in these areas with better telephone and email service.

(PAGE, Ariz.)-The Arizona Daily Sun of Flagstaff, Ariz. reports a Page (Ariz.) police officer has been cleared of any criminal charges in connection with the June 19 shooting death of a Page businessman.

According to a decline report issued Friday from the Coconino County (Ariz.) Attorney’s Office, Officer Shawn W. Wilson was justified in using lethal force in shooting and killing William “Bill” D. Foust.

The report concluded that Wilson, who had responded to Foust’s business on a domestic disturbance report, was nearly run over in a vehicle by Foust during an altercation.

When Wilson attempted to arrest Foust for the aggravated assault, he attempted to wrestle Wilson’s Tazer.

Wilson, fearing Foust would incapacitate him with the Tazer, fired his duty weapon.

Foust was struck once in the torso and once in the head while he was later pronounced dead at the Page Hospital.

(EPHRAIM) – A Manti man was killed in an industrial accident this morning at the Bailey Cubing Plant north of Ephraim. The Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office reported that 30-year old Greg Barnes was found dead at the plant at about 7am. Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident and will have further details later on.

(Ephraim) Snow College has seen record numbers of students over the past few semesters which has put a strain on available housing. A number of privately owned housing complexes have been built in the past few decades, but the school had not had a housing project since 1959. That changed this year with the start of construction on a new on-campus housing complex. The new building on the north-west part of campus will house about 400 students. According to Communications Director Greg Dart, the building will incorporate suite type rooms, common areas, and study rooms. School officials say the building will be completed in about a year.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Deseret News reports 17 low-income elementary schools in Utah are now facing potential penalties after posting low test scores for two consecutive years.

The report asserts these failing schools fell below the standards mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act have more than doubled the eight schools which had these shortcomings last year.

The Utah State Office of Education oversees an improvement program for the failing schools that may include reforms, such as busing students to other schools or even replacing present administration.

Schools must have two consecutive years of test scores meeting the standards to be removed from the improvement program.

Already this year, a Provo elementary school was removed from the program after two years of sufficient progress.

The test focuses on essential core areas for young students such as math and language arts.

(CENTRAL VALLEY) – Sevier County Sheriff’s deputies helped rescue a two-year old child from a locked vehicle in Central Valley Sunday afternoon. A sheriff’s report said that the child had been playing in the vehicle and locked the car’s doors with the keys inside at about 5pm. Sheriff Nate Curtis said the sheriff’s office does not carry tools to unlock vehicles and called a tow service to unlock the doors. Curtis said the child was only in the vehicle for 15 to 20 minutes and was removed in good condition but the situation could have been worse. He said multiple incidents across the county have occurred where children have died in locked vehicles due to extreme heat.

(ANCHORAGE, Alaska)-The FBI has determined a white powder contained in packages sent to members of Alaska’s congressional delegation was not a hazardous substance, but rather a sample of concrete material, two of the lawmakers confirmed.

Monday, offices of two Alaska U.S. senators and congressmen had received suspicious packages through the mail, prompting the evacuation of the federal building at Fairbanks, Alaska and the closure of the sixth floor of an Anchorage, Alaska office building, authorities confirmed.

At least two of the packages consisted of a white powder but by late Monday, Senator Mark Begich and Representative Don Young had issued statements, asserting the FBI had confirmed the powder was not harmful.

Tuesday, it remained unclear why the concrete mixture was mailed to the lawmakers’ offices, but a statement from Begich’s spokeswoman, Julie Hasquet, cited the FBI in saying the sender had “no criminal intent.”

The packages were received in the Fairbanks offices of Begich and Senator Lisa Murkowski as well as at Young’s Anchorage office.

The incidents were initially reported by the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Telephone messages left with the FBI and the Anchorage Fire Department concerning the concrete mixture were not immediately returned and the Department of Justice could not immediately confirm the powder as a concrete mixture.

Earlier, Hasquet said a staff member at Fairbanks began to open a box sent by priority and powder spilled out while the staffer followed office procedure by opening the box in a plastic bag, Hasquet confirmed.

Hasquet said the box had a return address from Arizona while the staffer turned the package over to the federal marshal’s office, located nearby in the same building.

At Young’s office, authorities sealed off the building’s sixth floor while hazardous materials responders bagged up and removed items for analysis and possible decontamination.

(ELSINORE) – The Elsinore and Monroe Fire Departments were dispatched to a fire at an Elsinore residence on Friday and called out again to the same location later in the day. A sheriff’s report said the homeowner was burning weeds at his residence, located at 261 East 1400 South in Elsinore but the wind changed and burned a fence and some trees at about 2pm. Fire crews were able to douse the flames with only minor damage but were called out again two hours later to the same location, where a garage at 280 East 1360 South was fully engulfed in flames and the siding on the home was melting. The homeowners were not at home at the time of the fire and investigators are determining damage estimates.

(ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.)-The Associated Press reports police say a suspected kidnapper was stymied by a man who witnessed a 6-year-old girl being pushed into a van after which he swiftly notified authorities.

Albuquerque Police officer Robert Gibbs told KRQE-TV, Channel 13 in Albuquerque, N.M. suspect Phil Garcia attempted to coax the girl into a green van late Monday afternoon before pushing her into the vehicle.

Gibbs says an alert neighbor, who was not identified, got into his own car and began following the van while also calling 911.

According to Gibbs, Garcia noticed he was being followed and sought to lose the car, but instead crashed a mile and a half away from where the girl was taken.

Gibbs said the neighbor was able to safely rescue the girl from the van and authorities say he arrived moments later, arresting Garcia.

(GALLUP, N.M.)-On the vast Navajo Nation, wildlife and animal control manager Kevin Gleason estimates there are four to five dogs for each of the more than 89,000 households, or as many as 445,000 dogs, most of which roam unchecked, killing livestock and biting people regularly.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Gleason confirmed the dogs were killers, devouring everything they encounter, including cats, other dogs, people, horses and cattle.

Ongoing efforts are being made by small groups of volunteers to ship a few healthy puppies and dogs to Albuquerque, N.M. and southern Colorado, but this has had no impact generally while attempts to take them to weekly spay and neuter clinics in Gallup, N.M. have also proven ineffective.

Dogs are often near highways or anywhere else they can find food.

After Gleason was placed in charge of animal control operations on the Navajo Nation last October, he gave his officers orders to conduct a series of roundups.

Between October and April, he said officers picked up 2,322 dogs and of those, only 79 were adopted and 313 were released back to their owners while the rest were euthanized.

The roundups were canceled shortly thereafter as funds evaporated.

On average, Gleason said, the reservation euthanizes 6,000 dogs annually while in McKinley County (N.M.) and Gallup, nearly 4,000 dogs, cats and other animals were euthanized last year.

John Polis, a spokesman for Kanab-based Best Friends Animal Society said his group has worked with the Navajo Nation and occasionally takes some of its animals but says the problem is so vast and the resources are insufficient to tackle it completely.

While Polis said such problems are pervasive on many Indian reservations, he cited a project on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation of South Dakota as a template for a progressive community-based effort to quell unwanted breeding.

Virginia Ravndal, who began the Lakota Animal Care Project said the major issue she faces entails disease, starvation and freezing, because of South Dakota’s extensive winters and harsher climate.

Ravndal says the project has worked to instruct tribal members to provide basic care like treatment for mange and worms and after they gain the trust of pet owners, they inform them about the importance of spaying and neutering.

Ravndal says she hopes to host a gathering of nations next summer to assist other tribes in setting up comparable programs designed to instigate long-term changes and how tribal members view and care for pets.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-After former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty dropped out of the 2012 GOP presidential race after disappointing results last weekend in Iowa, politico.com wonders if former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. could be the next casualty.

According to information from Politico, a Gallup poll conducted last week shows after Thursday’s GOP debate, “rank-and-file” Republicans showed few signs of enthusiasm for Huntsman’s campaign.

Additionally, Huntsman’s name recognition among GOPs has remained low, around 39 percent.

Pollster Frank Newport has also speculated if Huntsman’s approval rating fails to increase, whether his campaign will struggle as the race progresses forward which would compel him to leave.

Huntsman’s New Hampshire-based campaign manager, Sarah Crawford Stewart, says he remains committed to win the New Hampshire primary while she looks forward to assisting him in reaching his goal.

(BEIJING)-As Chinese investors remain concerned about American assets, Utah is striking a mutually beneficial deal with the populous country.

The U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, has reassured the Chinese their investments are safe while addressing the recent downgrade and assuring his audience that the U.S. is assessing its debt issues, according to a report on politico.com.

Locke said over the course of the past few days, more people were buying U.S. treasuries, a clear indication that investing in the country is safe and secure, while the economy is still facing strong challenges.

The Chinese embassy has reported more than 70 percent of the country’s lakes and river are polluted, while they also suffer from water shortages as nearly 500 million Chinese are without clean drinking water.

Utah Governor Gary Herbert has authorized technology exchanges for projects to assist the Chinese with their ecological issues while these details were ironed out last April when Herbert visited Jinshan, China.

One project the agreement between Utah and Jinshan entails is the Jinshan Clean Energy Project, a partnership between Jinshan District and the Utah Clean Tech Alliance.

The purpose of this project is to create a reactor that will convert biowaste into energy or usable materials such as wax or diesel fuel, the Ogden Standard-Examiner reports.

(NEW YORK)-Last week, according to a Wall Street Journal report, seven law school graduates opted to use their newly awarded degrees to sue their alma maters.

These students, three from New York Law School and four others from Lansing, Mich.-based Thomas M. Cooley Law School, are suing for tuition refunds and damages totaling $450 million, asserting the schools misrepresented the number of graduates who get jobs in the field within nine months by reporting anyone who has employment and that the schools report a postgraduate salary which is not indicative of most graduates, reporting only those who complete the survey.

In fact, one attorney, Kurzon Strauss, reports that Cooley claims to have a 75 to 80 percent employment rate after graduation while he believes the figure to be less than 30 percent, according to an article which appeared on www.mlive.com last week.

Strauss says this is a “dirty little secret” the two aforementioned institutions often employ although the law schools remain adamant that if the former students have umbrage with the numbers, they should take up their petition with the American Bar Association, which dictates the process.

The Bar Association has reportedly seen problems in line with Strauss’ assertions and is in the process of finding a new way to report employment rates, the Lansing State Journal reports.

Presently, schools are allowed to scour through self-reported numbers by graduates and count students as employed, even if they only work part-time in a non-related field.

Additionally, law schools calculate salary based upon those who report them, who are often the highest earners, the Journal stated.

Last month, the New York Times reported law schools have raised their tuition on four occasions while also increasing enrollment numbers but Friday, a contrary report in The Washington Times said thus far in 2011, law school applications have been dropping.

(WASHINGTON)-A Gallup poll released Sunday depicts President Barack Obama’s approval rating has dropped below 40 percent for the first time, according to a report on www.foxnews.com.

The poll confirms only 39 percent of Americans approve of Obama’s performance as 54 percent disapprove.

Integral factors in Obama’s general disapproval include “a deeply unsettled political landscape,” while voters seem to be in an adamantly anti-incumbent mood presently, the report asserts.

Obama’s percolating unpopularity has also proven to be the impetus of Texas GOP Governor Rick Perry throwing his hat into the ring for 2012, the report states, while the process will officially commence next February 6 at the Iowa caucuses.

Obama is attempting to turn the tide by engaging in a three-day bus tour, according to a Monday report in the Los Angeles Times.

In a report on www.cnn.com, Republicans confirmed their skepticism of the merit of Obama’s tour.

Ephraim) A fatal accident occurred this morning at the Bailey cubing plant located north of Ephraim. According to a release from the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office, Greg Barnes of Manti was found dead at about 7:00 AM this (Tuesday) morning in what police are calling an industrial accident. No further details have been released.

(PROVO)-Monday, the Provo Daily Herald reported a Utah lawmaker is calling for tighter restrictions on the state’s new fireworks law after hearing complaints from his constituents.

Orem Republican Senator John Valentine told the Herald he is presently working on legislation to shorten the legal period that fireworks can be ignited in the Beehive State, as well as clamping down on how late on a particular day the fireworks can be set off.

Valentine primarily wants the legal period for fireworks to be used to revert to what the previous law allowed: three days before and after either the 4th or 24th of July while currently fireworks may be set off from June 26 to July 26.

Valentine is also seeking to impose a time limit concerning how late fireworks can be set off at night.

Provo Fire Marshal Lynn Scofield stated his department has already received numerous complaints about fireworks being discharged during the middle of the night.

Valentine said he does not plan to change the new types of fireworks that were allowed to be sold and ignited in Utah this year, saying the cake fireworks, which can shoot as high as 150 feet in the air, add a “uniqueness” to the state.

(CEDAR CITY) – A Utah District representative met with faculty members today at two southern Utah high schools to address concerns over negative perceptions of public education in the state. Rep. Evan Vickers of District #72 met with the faculty of Cedar and Canyon View High Schools at their beginning school year meeting to discuss teacher morale, lack of funding, future teachers, state policies that drive educators away, legislative attitudes, local caucuses and changing negative perceptions held by legislators. Vickers concluded the meeting by saying he supports the state public education system and assured teachers that the legislature is more likely to address concerns that don’t cost a lot.

(EPHRAIM) – Sanpete County is in line for getting a new Children’s Justice Center. Director Kay Jensen of Manti was selected to head the facility, which is located at a Snow College-owned house in Ephraim. The CJC will be the 17th operational facility for children in the state, with the most recent facility opening in Richfield. Jensen said in order for the center to become operational, volunteers and a great deal of community support is needed. She said the facility in Ephraim will require some private and business donations to renovate the building where the CJC will be located to meet the state standards for such facilities. Jensen commented that the Sanpete CJC received $30,000 from the National Children’s Alliance and $50,000 from state funding.

(MAYFIELD) – Forest Service officials are seeking help to restore bridges that have slid on the Arapeen Trail near Mayfield. Forest managers say that bridges going through riparian areas need to be moved back into place, due to heavy rains that caused the bridges to slide. Officials said Arapeen Trail #29 near Mayfield has been closed until further notice. The Forest Service and Arapeen Trail Council are seeking volunteers to help with the bridge project to help improve one of the best OHV trail systems in the state. Volunteers will meet on Aug. 27 at the 12-Mile Canyon Campsite at 9am. Personnel say that if enough volunteers show up, the project should be completed in just a day.

(FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.)-The Arizona Daily Sun of Flagstaff, Ariz. reports last Friday, Southwest Windpower, an entity based in the city remains committed to Flagstaff and the surrounding area.

Company CEO Dixon Thayer said the company is slated to commence production of several new products in the near future, but refused to elaborate.

The board of directors of the company rejected the $700,000 federal stimulus grant last week, primarily amid concerns that the three-month window to retool the company’s entire production line in hopes of being reimbursed while federal dollars still remain short.

Thayer confirmed he is committed to keeping the company in Flagstaff, even without the grant.

(ST. GEORGE)-Last Friday, St. George was announced as the venue for the 2013 World Horseshoe Tournament during this year’s tournament at Monroe, La.

St. George beat out York, Pa., the other finalist, and will become the first Utah city to host the tournament in 45 years.

The annual event draws an estimated crowd of the best 1,200-1,500 competitive pitchers from around the world while athletes qualify for this tournament by competing in four NHPA-sanctioned tournaments throughout any given year.

National Horseshoe Pitchers Association President Sturat Sipma said delegates are excited to visit St. George as a first-time destination for this tournament.

This year’s champion, Brian Simmons, represented Vermont and boasts an overall ring percentage of 87 percent.

The director of sports marketing with the St. George Convention of Tourism, Kevin Lewis, says the city is thrilled to welcome the best pitchers in the world and the event will showcase St. George as a recognized sports destination.

(ST. GEORGE)-Dixie State College of Utah president and former Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints general authority Stephen D. Nadauld has issued a challenge for the fourth consecutive year to DSC students and community members to try to beat him to the finish line at the annual President’s Welcome Back Fun Run Walk.

The event is slated for Saturday August 27 at 8:00 a.m. near the fountain at the center of the DSC campus.

The walk is free to all DSC students, faculty, staff and community participants.

The near 5-kilometer course will both start and finish at the fountain and weave through various areas around the sprawling campus.

Additionally, all participants who beat Nadauld will receiver a voucher good for 25 percent off any apparel or novelty purchase at the DSC bookstore.

This year’s event will feature the new DSC President’s Fitness Loops, a system consisting of five walking or jogging trails ranging from a quarter mile to two miles in length at various places throughout the campus.

Nadauld also told KCSG-TV in St. George of the currently under construction “D-circuit” physical fitness training facility which will enable DSC students to enhance their bodies comparably to their minds.

Registration forms for the fun walk are available at the DSC campus or online at www.dixie.edu.

Furthermore, the first 250 entrants will receive a free T-shirt for early registration although entries will still be accepted on race day.

Check-in and late registration will both begin at 7:00 a.m. MDT on the 27th.

For more information, please contact Steve Johnson at the DSC Public Relations Office at 652-7544 or at johnsons@dixie.edu

(EPHRAIM) – The Miss Sanpete Scholarship Pageant was held over the weekend in Ephraim. Judges selected Kassie Nielson of Fairview as the new 2011 Miss Sanpete, along with Kayla Bartholomew of Mayfield as First Runner-Up. Second Runner-Up is Marissa Hedelius of Manti and Taylor Jones of Ephraim was selected as Third Runner-Up. Jackie Chamberlain of Ephraim was chosen as Fourth Runner-Up and also Miss Congeniality. The pageant was held at the Eccles for Performing Arts on the Snow College Ephraim Campus Saturday night.

(FRUITA, CO.) – A motorcyclist and his rider from Spain were injured on SR-24 east of Fruita, CO. Friday afternoon after hitting a deer. According to a UHP report, 52-year old Grala Thomas of Bulinaba Del Cami, Spain, was traveling westbound in a 2011 Harley Davidson, when he hit the deer in the middle of the road about two miles east of Fruita at about 5:30pm. UHP said Thomas was not wearing a helmet and was transported to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield with unknown injuries. His rider, 54-year old Prieto Josefina, also of Spain, was not wearing a helmet and was taken to the hospital with injuries. UHP said Thomas laid the motorcycle down on its side on the road.

(GREEN RIVER)-Two people are dead and another was injured after a rollover accident Saturday morning.

Utah Highway Patrol officials report that around 9:35 a.m. MDT Saturday morning, a Chevrolet Silverado with three male occupants was traveling on Interstate 70, about 28 miles west of Green River.

The vehicle the men traveled in veered to the left side of the road before rolling into the center median, authorities reported.

Two of the occupants were ejected and transported to Saint Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo.

The 21-year-old Carlos A. Ornelas of South Gate, Calif. was pronounced dead upon his arrival at the hospital while the 20-year-old Eddie Valencia of Los Angeles was transported in critical condition and later died at the hospital.

A third person was transported to the hospital with minor leg and arm injuries, but was later released.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

(PULLMAN, Wash.)-Numerous graduate students at universities throughout the country have focused the continuance of their studies on finding work in sustainable agriculture once they enter the real world.

Numerous institutions, such as Washington State University of Pullman, Wash. are offering courses, certificates or degree programs focused on organic and sustainable agriculture.

Experts stated these graduates should not have trouble finding jobs as the agriculture industry replaces aging farmers, the average age of a U.S. farmer is 57, while farmers increasingly look to diversify their operations.

Meanwhile, Roger Pepperl, the spokesman for Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers, the nation’s largest organic tree fruit producer, says he always looks to nearby WSU to provide future ag workers.

About 30 percent of Stemilt’s organic crops are organic, comprising 3 million boxes of apples, pears, cherries, peaches and nectarines annually.

Pepperl says organic and sustainable specialists are effective because they not only bring unique skills to the table but enhance conventional farming as well.

Pepperl has noted such specialists have new ideas about methods for handling pets, fungus and weeds that use fewer chemicals, making them environmentally preferable and potentially less expensive.

WSU, which already offered an organic agriculture degree, recently became the first institution in the country to offer an agriculture certificate online.

Meanwhile, at the University of California-Davis, students can now enroll in a new sustainable agriculture and food systems program this academic year.

Experts stated the growth in alternative agriculture programs is fueled by continued consumer demand for food seen as healthier while the rising demand for food produced by sustainable farms that are environmentally responsible and treat both workers and animals humanely.

As of 2003, the Organic Farming Research Foundation of Santa Cruz, Calif. surveyed land-grant universities about their organic programs.

They asked about student-farm acres devoted to organics, the number of courses and degree programs.

Washington state is second in the nation in the country in value of organic production, just behind California while about 9 percent of U.S. organic production comes from Washington, compared with 33 percent from California.

Miles McEvoy, who headed the Washington state Department of Agriculture’s organic program until 2009 when he was called upon to fill the same position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said WSU’s organic program is “forward thinking,” which is desperately needed.

(MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.)-The Associated Press reports Mountain View, Calif.-based Google Inc. is buying cellphone maker Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. for $12.5 billion in cash.

This is considered Google’s biggest acquisition to date and confirms the online search leader is serious about expanding beyond its core Internet business and setting the agenda in the rapidly-growing mobile market.

Google will pay $40 per share, a 63 percent premium to Motorola’s closing price Friday.

Google’s Android operating system runs smartphones competing with iPhones, BlackBerrys and Windows-based mobile devices.

Motorola Mobility was separated from the rest of Schaumburg, Ill.-based Motorola in January while the company has remade itself as a smartphones maker based on Android, but has struggled against Apple Inc. and Asian smartphone makers.

In a statement, Google CEO Larry Page said Android has created a “natural fit” for the two companies while the acquisition has obtained the approval of both companies’ boards and is expected to close by the end of this year or early 2012.

This could possibly be overly ambitious, however, as the deal will likely face considerable scrutiny and dwarfs Google’s previous biggest deal, the 2008 purchase of DoubleClick, which has six U.S. locations, for $3.2 billion and took a year to obtain approval.

It is believed Google has fulfilled the acquisition to obtain Motorola’s trove of more than 17,000 patents on phone technology.

Google recently lost out to a consortium including Microsoft Corp., Apple and Research in Motion Ltd. in bidding of thousands of patents from Novell Inc. of Waltham, Mass., a maker of computer-networking software and Mississauga, Ontario-based Nortel Networks, a gear maker which is presently bankrupt and selling itself off incrementally.

Motorola has nearly three times more patents than Nortel.

In premarketing trading, shares of Motorola Mobility soared 60 percent, or $14.72, to $39.19.

Meanwhile, shares of Google, fell $14.68, or 2.6 percent, to $549.95.

(LOGAN)-This next week, current GOP presidential race front-runner Mitt Romney has two fundraisers planned for northern Utah.

According to a report in the Logan Herald-Journal, Romney will host these events Friday at a Logan conference center as well as at a private home in the city.

Romney’s visit will be the second to heavily Republican Utah since he officially announced his candidacy for president while he also visited Salt Lake City in June for a fundraiser and a rally at a hamburger stand.

Romney remains extensively popular in the state because of his membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and polls conducted throughout Utah depict him as being well ahead of other candidates such as Jon Huntsman Jr., the state’s former governor.

(DUCHESNE)-As the search for a missing Australian man in the High Uintas entered its seventh day Sunday, Duchesne County Sheriff’s officials may have reason for optimism.

Generally, the last known sighting of the 63-year-old Eric Robinson occurred July 30 near Fox Lake but a West Jordan-based bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was able to contact the sheriff’s office Saturday and reported an encounter with the Australian on August 2 in the Yellowstone Creek drainage, Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dave Boren stated.

Boren said the bishop reported Robinson was “in good health and good spirits.”

Robinson began his journey July 28, intending to hike the 60-mile High Line trail in 10 days while he was slated to return August 7 after which he and his wife, Marilyn Koolstra, had planned to fly to Vancouver, British Columbia to tackle another hiking adventure.

Boren said the bishop confirmed the most recent sighting as he led a troop of Boy Scouts when they discovered him about 3.5 miles south of the High Line trail.

Searchers are presently focusing their efforts on an area between the Five Points Lake and Bluebell Pass trail heads, Boren confirmed.

Officials believe Robinson is carrying a red backpack full of supplies while he is 5,7,” possesses a slender build and is generally bald with some gray hair about his head and is prepared to face any elements he may encounter.

(SANDY)-At a Friday meeting of FAIR, the Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research, immigration law attorney and lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Cynthia Lange cited the relationship between the Church’s immigration policy and its 12th Article of Faith, which states the Church believes in honoring temporal political and legislative authority.

Lange and her co-presenter Patrick Shen, shared their experiences in enforcing illegal immigrants, including select individuals who share their religious beliefs.

Primarily, Lange and Shen discussed immigration policy and explored whether the Church is asking its members to regard things differently on this volatile subject.

Shen said there were gray areas in the illegal immigration realm such as whether existing rules should be modified for individuals with special needs or in peculiar circumstances.

To illuminate what people throughout the country feel about illegal immigration, Lange cited the Dillingham Commission, a report which states new immigrants were immigrating for different reasons than their predecessors.

The commission discovered the newer immigrant “comes with the intention of profiting,” only to return to their country of origin, or their “old country.”

The study also found they do not assimilate nor learn English while in the U.S.

However, the study may be a bit outdated, Lange said, as it was published in 1911 and primarily appertained to eastern and northern Europeans, rather than Latinos.

Shen said in 2005, the Church lobbied Congress to pass what he called “the Mormon Exception,” a provision in immigration laws which states a religious organization would not be in violation of immigration laws should an undocumented alien be a volunteer minister or missionary for that organization.

Additionally, Lange cited a Church statement made this past June which said the important thing to remember, ultimately, is that we are all children of God.

Lange reiterated that the Church has attempted to stay as neutral in this ever-percolating debate as possible and maintains its stance that members should treat everyone they meet in a way Christ would approve of.

In closing, Lange confirmed the Church is not advocating for the government to enforce immigration law, but instead is requesting a balanced approach to new laws.

Today’s preview is on my favorite NFL team, the Denver Broncos, so some bias may sweep in but I can share my opinions without capital letters or cheap shenanigans. AFTER ALL THERE IS NO NEED TO SHOUT ON THE INTERNET!

Anyway, as my favorite radio host Jim Rome has often said the past few weeks Bronco Camp is his favorite training camp this season.

Why is Romey so enraptured with Dove Creek? It is simply because the training camp battle between incumbent Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow is so intriguing to MSM types.

Of course, we media members who happen to be Broncos fans, are hoping Tebow can continue to accentuate his positive traits and work on eradicating the plagues which have stricken all scrambling passers through the years.

Yes, Denver’s favorite son John Elway, as well as Steve Young and Randall Cunningham, among others, had to harness their prodigious athletic skills to become prolific passers.

Two of these aforementioned signal-callers are Hall of Famers and in all honesty, all three of them should be.

Anyway, Orton is the Broncos’ starter until he is not, but I expect management to keep Tebow as there is no evidence suggesting he is not the quarterback of the future, regardless of what my friend and fellow Italian, Michael Lombardi, has said on NFL Network or nfl.com.

While there is much hubbub concerning the signal-caller position in Denver, the Broncos have quietly, yet adroitly procured talented players.

Last April, the Broncos had one of their best drafts in the past 10 years as safety Rahim Moore, linebacker/defensive end Von Miller and tight end Julius Thomas have all performed spectacularly in training camp and all have the potential to be difference makers in a positive sense.

2009 NFL sack champion Elvis Dumervil, who has 43 career sacks appears to be fully recovered from a debilitating injury last year and Champ Bailey return to what we in Broncos Country hope is an elite unit.

Selfless veteran Brian Dawkins (who took less money to remain a Bronco, instantaneously this makes him a Mile High legend) has already been mentoring safety Kyle McCarthy, who made numerous big hits in last week’s preseason opener at Dallas.

The biggest (no pun intended) assets the Broncos now have defensively are Ty Warren and Broderick Bunkley, defensive linemen who should successfully fill any role new head coach John Fox has for them.

Offensively, Fox is staying true to the principles he employed in Carolina with a consistent and potent rushing attack.

Holdover Knowshon Moreno has been joined by ex-Raven and Bill Willis McGahee (7,214 career combined rushing and receiving yards) while the duo is expected to keep the ball in Denver’s hands while the defense remains fresh.

Rookie free agent Jeremiah Johnson, an ex-Oregon Duck, could help Moreno and McGahee comprise a triumvirate of fearsome tailbacks for Broncos opponents to fret about if all goes well.

To me, Denver’s wideouts also remain a strength as Eddie Royal and Eric Decker, along with unit leader Brandon Lloyd should all have significant opportunities to contribute to what will be a much more balanced offense than the one employed by Josh “Dark Sith” McDaniels.

Finally, while Matt Prater is a successful kicker, his DUI disgusts me, so Steven Hauschka needs to continue in his solid performance to end 2010 (3 of 4 in limited opportunities) if called upon.

Ultimately, I do think the Broncos can be vastly improved and if they simply execute Fox’s game plans successfully on a weekly basis and win the turnover ratio, I can see my beloved team win 10 games.

Time will tell, but bring on the games!

DELTA, Utah (AP)-Alexa Finlinson, Brooke Finlinson, Hailee Holt and Jalice Losee each scored as the Delta Lady Rabbits bested the Canyon View Lady Falcons, 4-3 Friday in non-region girls soccer action.

(ATLANTA)-KVOA-TV, Channel 4 in Tucson, Ariz. reports a federal appeals court has struck down the requirement in President Barack Obama’s health care overall package that virtually all Americans must carry health insurance or face penalties.

A divided three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday struck down the so-called individual mandate, siding with 26 states that had sued to block the law.

However, the decision didn’t go as far as a lower court that had invalidated the entire overhaul as “unconstitutional.”

The states and other critics say the law violates peoples’ rights and The Justice Department counters by saying the legislative branch was exercising a “quintessential” power.

An appeals court and three federal judges have upheld the law while two have invalidated it.

Experts say the debate will ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.

(DALLAS)-Thursday, the Bureau of Land Management stated a final autopsy on 23-year-old firefighter, Caleb Hamm of Boise, Idaho, has concluded he died from hyperthermia, or uncontrolled overheating of the body.

Hamm died July 7 while fighting the CR 337 fire near Mineral Wells, Texas as a member of the Utah-based Bonneville Interagency Hotshot Crew.

The Dallas Office of the Medical Examiner’s autopsy report concluded their opinion that Hamm died of the disorder.

Hamm’s death is currently being reviewed by an Interagency Serious Accident investigation while team reviews are a standard practice when firefighters are seriously injured or die in the line of duty.

The team’s purpose is to gather factual information and make recommendations that will assist in preventing future injuries or illnesses to wildland firefighters.

The team’s final report is expected to be completed sometime in September.

(DUCHESNE)-The search for a missing Australian hiker in the High Uintas entered its fifth day Friday with no evidence that he has been discovered.

The 63-year-old Eric Robinson was expected to return last Sunday, at the latest, and was slated to fly to Vancouver, British Columbia, for another leg of his extended hiking trip from Melbourne, Australia.

His wife, Marilyn Koolstra, said despite his disappearance, he has numerous resources and is adept at living off the land.

Robinson first set out July 28, intending for his 60-mile hike along the Highline trail to last 10 days.

The last time anyone saw him or conversed with him was July 30, Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office authorities said.

The sheriff’s office has been searching the area for the past four days, using horses, a helicopter and a volunteer force of hikers, some of whom are Robinson’s friends.

Officials believe Robinson is carrying a red backpack that was full of supplies while Koolstra said her husband was also carrying a location beacon as well as a recently-purchased bear-resistant canister for his food which bears an Australian-flag sticker.

Koolstra says her husband is about 5’7” and boasts a slender, fit build.

While he is generally bald, he has some gray hair around his head and was fully equipped for any type of weather he might have encountered while hiking.

Typically, he wears a fleece shirt and shorts as well, Koolstra said.

Koolstra has flown into Utah with her daughter to assist in the search and in hopes of more effectively communicating with officials searching after her husband.

(MANTI) – Sanpete County Commissioners have sent a letter to the Utah BLM director voicing their opposition to create wilderness designations in the county. Wilderness designations on public lands restricts or prohibits the use of motorized vehicles and closes roads. Commercial activity, including mining, grazing and timber harvesting, are also restricted or prohibited. In the letter, Commissioners said the majority of residents in the county are opposed to wilderness creation. The letter was sent in response to Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s Order 3310 that required officials to re-inventory public lands for wilderness designation. The order was in direct contradiction with a 2003 memorandum of agreement between former Gov. Mike Leavitt and then Secretary Gale Norton that managed public lands. Salazar has since suspended the order, due to extreme opposition from local, county and state officials.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The attorney for a Colorado couple convicted in a Four Corners artifact looting case who stood before U.S. District Judge Dee Benson Thursday, said his clients have lost everything.

Defense attorney Wally Budgen said 76-year-old Carl Lavern Crites, a collector of Native American artifacts who was sentenced to three years’ probation (with credit for the two years he has spent awaiting trial in his native Colorado).

Reportedly, he will serve his last year without supervision, but he is still not to enter any government property for any purpose other than travel.

Crites previously pleaded guilty to theft of government property, trafficking in stolen artifacts and depredation of government property.

Additional charges of one count of each of stealing an archaeological artifact and transporting an archaeological artifact were dismissed.

Crites and his 70-year-old wife Marie were indicted with 23 others in the 2009 government crackdown on those dealing in Native American artifacts.

As part of his plea agreement, Vern Crites forfeited a collection of artifacts were found on private property owned by ranchers and farmers Vern Crites met as a propane supplier.

Many were excavated with the property owner’s permission.

Prosecutor Richard McKelvie said the government disputes this claim, but some items are being reviewed.

McKelvie said the forfeiture of his collection was part of the plea agreement, and the government allowed the couple to keep their home and vehicles.

Marie Crites was sentenced to 30 days of probation while in the case, three people have already taken their lives since the federal operation ended, including Blanding doctor James Redd, government informant Ted Gardiner and New Mexico resident Steven Shrader.

If not for the plea agreement, Bugden said Vern Crites may have gone to trial in an effort to keep his property and prove his ownership.

However, the government only offered the plea agreement to the Crites as a couple, putting Vern Crites in the position of having to protect his wife by avoiding trial, Bugden said.

(PROVO)-Thursday, at the Marriott Center, 2,342 Brigham Young University students earned their degrees during summer commencement exercises for the university operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Keynote speaker Elder Craig C. Christensen of the Church’s Second Quorum of Seventy shared his thoughts of graduating from BYU 31 years ago while primarily speaking of the importance of continually looking forward and taking small steps each day to ensure “ultimate happiness and accomplishment in the future.”

Christensen told graduates it is through the continuing to work hard that they will be able to make a positive difference in the world as their lives progress.

In closing, Christensen encouraged graduates to seek opportunities to serve others wherever they are.

Other speakers at the event included university president and church General Authority Cecil O. Samuelson, BYU alumni president Chris Feinauer and graduate Chelsea Johnson Kennedy.

Overall, 1,516 bachelor degrees were handed out, as well as 280 Master’s degrees and 25 doctor degrees.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – Dozens of concerned citizens showed up at the Salt Lake International Center to voice their opposition to pump water out of the west desert to Las Vegas. Officials from the Southern Nevada Water Authority and Bureau of Land Management took comments from about 30 people in attendance over the construction of a 285-mile pipeline in the Snake Valley area, that will draw water from an aquifer that straddles the Nevada-Utah border. Those opposed to the project say the water drawdown will hurt plant and animal life in the west deserts and harm air quality along the Wasatch Front, possibly creating a dust bowl. Steve Erickson of the Great Basin Water Network said it appears agriculture in the west is not that important to Utah’s congressional delegation, since none of the leaders attended the meeting. The project has major impacts to the districts of Rep. Jason Chaffetz and Rob Bishop.

(TIJUANA, Mexico)-A fugitive wanted in connection with a double shooting in June was apprehended Wednesday by Mexican National Police.

Uintah County officials confirmed to ABC-4 in Salt Lake City that the 23-year-old Bruce Silva of Myton was arrested around 7:00 p.m. in Tijuana, Mexico.

Silva was wanted in connection with fatally shooting James Carey and injuring Jared Hurley June 18.

Uintah County officials arrested three of Silva’s brothers and one female Wednesday in connection with the shootings.

Uintah County Sheriff Jeff Merrell said the apprehension of Silva, as well as others involved in the incident was a joint effort by many agencies.

Silva will now be extradited back to Utah within the next several days.

(MONTGOMERY, Ala.)-A trial against two sitting Alabama senators accused of selling their votes on legislation to legalize electronic bingo games at a time when the then-governor was ordering raids on gambling halls to seize machines was discussed by jurors Thursday.

The case, which also involves two former senators, a well-known casino owner and four others, resulted in no convictions for the perpetrators, The Associated Press reports.

The inquiry first commenced when three Alabama Republican legislators told the FBI they were offered campaign contributions should they support the legislation.

The three used devices to record phone calls and meetings while the FBI wiretapped phones in a yearlong probe which coincided with former governor Bob Riley creating a gambling task force to shut down privately-operated casinos.

Riley contended these were illegal slot machines, while proponents portrayed them as a high-tech version of paper bingo, which is legal in select Alabama counties.

Behind the scenes, federal prosecutors said, operators of the two largest private casinos and teams of lobbyists were offering millions in campaign contributions, benefit concerts by country music artists, free polling and hidden $1 million-a-year-payments in return for votes.

For months, jurors listed more than 80 recordings of lawmakers, lobbyists and casino owners, some featuring coarse language and racially-charged comments, as prosecutors attempted to prove their case.

The defense pushed the argument that it’s normal to discuss campaign contributions in an election year while none of the 12,000 recorded phone calls had any senator agreeing to commit bribery by exchanging a vote for a campaign contribution.

After failure to convict, the Justice Department released a two-sentence statement which did not indicate whether prosecutors would continue to pursue all unresolved charges against the remaining seven defendants.

The attorney for accused state Senator Harri Anne Smith of Slocomb, Ala. said these Washington-based prosecutors failed to paint Alabama politics and members of the Legislature in a dishonest light.

Smith was acquitted of a count of bribery, one count of extortion and nine counts of honest services fraud while jurors failed to agree on other charges against her.

Smith and Quinton Ross Jr. of Montgomery won reelection campaigns after being indicted while Ex-Senators Larry Means of Attala, Ala. and Senator James E. “Jim” Preuitt of Talladega, Ala. dropped his reelection campaign.

Means was acquitted on 14 of the 16 charges against him and received a mistrial on the remaining two, conspiracy and bribery.

Preuitt was found not guilty on 12 of 15 charges, with mistrials declared on one count apiece of conspiracy, bribery and lying to an FBI agent.

Federal prosecutors have gone after corruption before in the state with much more success, the AP reported.

During the trial, Ronnie Gilley and lobbyist Jarrod Massey discussed arranging a campaign fundraiser for Smith with country singers Lorrie Morgan and John Anderson to ensure she supported the gambling bill and testified about working with Milton McGregor, the owner of Shorter, Ala.-based Victoryland Casino, which also includes a 5-star hotel and a greyhound race track, to offer a $1 million a year job to another senator who was helping the FBI.

Republican Senator Scott Beason of Gardendale, Ala. wore a recording device in one meeting wherein Gilley, Massey and McGregor were seeking his vote and recorded McGregor saying he and Gilley just like to help their friends.

Alabama’s Republican Governor, Robert Bentley and GOP legislative leaders declined comment after the split decision because some charges in the matter must be retried.

(SCIPIO) – Wildland firefighters are battling a 350-acre blaze east of Scipio that was ignited by a burning vehicle on SR-50 Thursday afternoon. Fire personnel said the Gap Wildfire was reported at about 2:30pm Thursday about four miles east of Scipio. UDOT officials said a portion of SR-50 was closed for a short while Thursday in order for crews to douse the flames from the vehicle but the fire quickly spread to grass, brush and pinyon juniper. Fire managers say that four, 20-person crews and nine engines are working the wildfire.

(ST. PAUL, Minn.)-While Minnesota state representative Michele Bachmann has often said her religious faith is an important component of her attempt to win the GOP presidential ticket, Texas Governor, Rick Perry, also a devout Christian, has thrown his hat into the ring.

Presently, Bachmann’s campaign is not discussing how Perry’s entry into the race is affecting their strategy, but last Friday, on the eve of Perry’s prayer rally at Houston’s Reliant Stadium, her team did send reporters a roster of supporters consisting of more than 100 pastors and spiritual leaders in Iowa.

She has been highlighting her faith-based backers more heavily, while swapping out a planned trip to New Hampshire for one to South Carolina, a state where it is expected she and Perry will likely compete for votes directly among social conservatives.

Bachmann’s campaign believes her candidate is not only contending with Perry for faith-driven votes, but also former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum as well.

Bachmann was raised a Lutheran and claims she was “born again” at the age of 16, claiming she has rarely made a big decision without the assistance of God.

Bachmann disbelieves in the notion that women should have roles in Church leadership while for years, her family attended a Stillwater, Minn.-based Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod Church.

The conservative denomination adheres to a doctrine that many critics deem anti-Catholic, views which Bachmann has disavowed.

Bachmann supporter Danny Carroll lampooned Perry’s attempts at sharing his beliefs, saying the more someone emphasizes Christianity, the more suspect beliefs become.

The Reverend Marcus Moffitt of the Calvary Baptist Church in Sheldon, Iowa, who is among those on the list of Bachmann’s supportive pastors, says he primarily wants to see “strength of leadership on moral issues.”

(ORANJESTAD, Aruba)-Aruban officials are turning to the FBI for assistance in investigating the disappearance of 35-year-old Maryland resident Robyn Gardner, according to an agency spokesman Thursday as doubts percolated concerning the story told by the suspect in the case.

FBI Special Agent Richard Wolf confirmed to The Associated Press that the U.S. Agency is conducting interviews and giving other assistance to Aruba, which has taken the lead in the investigation.

Wolf declined to provide any details or reveal who was being interviewed.

Gardner was first reported as missing August 2 by traveling companion Gary V. Giordano, also of Maryland.

The 50-year-old man told police that Gardner disappeared while they were snorkeling on the Caribbean island’s southern tip.

Aruba’s Solicitor General Taco Stein reported earlier that police had detained Giordano because of inconsistencies in his version of events.

Thursday, Giordano said if Gardner had drowned where he affirmed it had, her body would have turned up by now.

Stein said there were no unusual events swirling about Gardner’s disappearance while the search extended all the way to Venezuela.

Giordano’s Aruban lawyer, Michael Lopez, asserted his client’s innocence and says he has no business being detained unjustly.

Thursday, Stein and federal prosecutors confirmed they will soon be sending an official request for legal assistance to the U.S. Justice Department while they also exhorted people to come forward who may have seen the missing American woman with Giordano on the island.

The 35-year-old Gardner accepted Giordano’s invitation to the member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, despite previously backing out of a cruise with a man she had been friends with for years, according to her friend Christina Jones.

Jones said Gardner was always a trusting person while her “on-again, off-again boyfriend,” Richard Forester of Rockville, Md., she was a fan of travel and food shows on television.

Many of Gardner’s contacts also disputed Giordano’s claims about her snorkeling, saying she generally is not that adventurous.

Stein said authorities have Gardner’s computer, which they are considering sending to the Netherlands for analysis, as well as the couple’s rental car, but no physical evidence of a crime.