TROPIC, Utah (AP)-Jake Pearson posted 20 points and the Bryce Valley Mustangs stymied the Tabiona Tigers, 63-44 Friday in non-region boys basketball action.

CASTLE DALE, Utah (AP)-Dallon Cologie had 15 points as the Emery Spartans edged the Manti Templars, 54-52 in non-region boys basketball action Friday. Jamen Miller had 18 points for the Templars in defeat.

KANAB, Utah (AP)-Kaden King led the way with 19 points and the South Sevier Rams pummeled the Kanab Cowboys, 58-39 Friday at the Cowboy Classic. Conor Corry paced Kanab with 14 points in defeat.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)-Parker Laub amassed 18 points and the Enterprise Wolves edged the Wayne Badgers, 62-59 at the Wayne Classic Friday. Taylor Albrecht had 19 points and 10 boards in the loss for the Badgers, while Zack Taylor chipped in with 16 points and eight rebounds in defeat for Wayne.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Megan Bean had 26 points and the Richfield Lady Wildcats bested the Desert Hills Lady Thunder, 58-46 in non-region girls basketball action Friday.

ORDERVILLE, Utah (AP)-McKinsey Smith’s 16 points paced the Parowan Lady Rams as they waxed the Valley Lady Buffaloes, 48-32 Friday in non-region girls basketball action. Kyra Milligan had 11 points in defeat for the Lady Buffs.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Kobe Farrer stepped up with 18 points as the Juab Lady Wasps gashed the Hurricane Lady Tigers, 48-37 Friday at the Hodson Classic at Canyon View High School.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Tara Shipp keyed a balanced scoring attack with 11 points and the Cedar Lady Reds surged past the Kanab Cowgirls, 51-34 at the Hodson Classic Friday at Cedar High. Calli Jackson had 15 points in defeat for Kanab.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)-Sarah Taylor had 11 points and the Wayne Lady Badgers overpowered the Altamont Lady Longhorns, 48-28 at the Wayne Classic Friday.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – Rep. Jason Chaffetz will be in Iowa to ring in the new year as he throws his support behind Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Chaffetz’s office said he’ll join the Romney team in Iowa as part of a last minute push for votes. The congressman will spend Monday and Tuesday with Romney’s campaign bus telling voters about Romney’s personal and professional qualifications. Chaffetz’s camp said he’ll highlight the Salt Lake Winter Olympic games and Romney’s strong family values. The main thrust of Chaffetz’s message will be that Romney is not a Washington insider and will fix America’s economic problems. After the Iowa caucus vote on Tuesday, Chaffetz will join Romney in New Hampshire for the Jan. 10 vote.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)-Demont Nay posted 29 points and the Tabiona Tigers edged the Escalante Moquis, 77-74 Thursday in non-region boys basketball action. Kayson Durfey had 20 points in the loss for Escalante.

KANAB, Utah (AP)-Race Parsons amassed 24 points and Kaden King had 23 more as the South Sevier Rams overpowered Liahona, 75-59 at the Cowboy Classic Thursday.

KANAB, Utah (AP)-Brandon Jenson posted 29 points as the Kanab Cowboys bested Maeser 61-46 Thursday at the Cowboy Classic.

COALVILLE, Utah (AP)-Kelsey Barney had 20 points and the North Sevier Lady Wolves got past the North Summit Lady Braves, 45-38 in non-region girls basketball action Thursday.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)-BreeAnn Buckner had 10 points and the South Summit Lady Wildcats outlasted the Millard Lady Eagles, 59-56 in overtime Thursday in non-region girls basketball action. Keri Brunson had 15 to pace Millard in defeat.

HERRIMAN, Utah (AP)-TaNeil Clayton had 14 points as the Delta Lady Rabbits edged Herriman, 52-48 in non-region girls basketball action Thursday.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Calli Jackson amassed 12 points and six boards and the Kanab Cowgirls smacked Canyon View 45-28 Thursday at the Hodson Classic.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Kobe Farrer’s 13 points led the way and the Juab Lady Wasps edged Canyon View, 38-34 at the Hodson Classic Thursday.

(MOAB) – A joint service project has resulted in the removal of 60 tons of junk and debris piled near Blue Hill just outside of Moab in San Juan County. The project, involving groups from the Williams Northwest Pipeline Company and the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, removed broken bottles, empty cartridges and large items, including TV’s and refrigerators, from about 40 acres in the area. Officials said most of the workers are avid shooters, who got disgusted with the dumping of junk on public lands and pooled together with others to clean up the area.

(KANAB) – Kanab City officials want to add a water line project on UDOT’s resurfacing project along SR-89 next spring. UDOT crews will be stripping the road down to its base bed and city officials want to replace aging six-inch lead-jointed water lines on 300 South and Center Street with new 12-inch pipes. City officials say piggybacking the projects will save the city $80,000 in paving costs with both projects done simultaneously. UDOT is paying for the resurfacing project along SR-89.

(EAST CARBON) – East Carbon residents are concerned about a company’s application to store polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCB’s, at a storage facility in Carbon County. At a public meeting held last week, residents voiced their opposition on an application submitted by the East Carbon Development Corporation to accept PCB’s in the county. Dr. Paul Martinez, who owns a piece of property near ECDC, said he’s concerned with the higher-than-normal rate of cancer and health problems in East Carbon and would like a third party to conduct testing on soils and animals in the area to determine if PCB’s can be stored. Officials with the Utah Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste, along with members of the EPA, attended the meeting and said that PCB’s are not considered hazardous materials. ECDC’s plans to make changes to its rotary dump to insure water and material cannot get outside the dump zones, provide liners at its site and patrol the area. ECDC must still secure permits from the EPA and the county before accepting PCB’s.

(SALINA) – Officials with the Arch Coal Foundation say there’s still time to nominate teachers for the company’s Achievement Award program to be held in the spring of 2012. Arch Coal’s Sufco Mine general manager Ken May says nominations will be accepted until Jan. 9, 2012 and anyone can nominate a public school teacher in Sevier, Sanpete, Carbon and Emery Counties. May said those counties surround the Dugout Canyon, Skyline and Sufco mines operated by Canyon Fuel Company, a subsidiary of major U.S. coal producer, Arch Coal, Inc. He said if you have a teacher you’d like to nominate, do it now, in order for the nominee to submit an application. Arch Coal will send nominees an application packet that requires responses to questions regarding teaching philosophies, community involvement and the teacher’s profession. Submissions of nominees will be accepted online at www.archteacherawards.com.

(LOGAN)-A deer infected with chronic wasting disease has been found in a new area of Utah although it is situated next to an area where the disease has been stationed for years.

Technicians with the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Logan have finished testing tissue samples taken from more than 1,200 deer, elk and moose this past fall.

Hunters across Utah took the animals while biologists with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources collected the samples.

One of the deer taken was on the San Juan deer hunting unit in southeastern Utah and tested positive for the disease commemorating the first time a deer from this unit had tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

Leslie McFarlane, the wildlife disease coordinator for the DWR said she is not surprised a deer from the San Juan unit tested positive for CWD as the case has emerged in the nearby La Sal Mountains before.

Despite the finding, CWD is not widespread in Utah as since 2002, almost 19,000 deer have been tested in the state and only 54 proved to test positive for the disease.

The 54 deer numbered 38 which hailed from southeastern Utah, 10 from central Utah, and 6 from northeastern Utah.

For more information, please visit www.cwd-info.org.

(PYONGYANG, North Korea)-The Associated Press reports late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il kept the world guessing in death, even as he had in life, with state media being quiet concerning details of his funeral Wednesday.

Kim, who led the communist state with an iron fist, following the death of his father, Kim Il Sung, in 1994, died of a heart attack December 17 at age 69, North Korean media confirmed.

He will be succeeded by his son, Kim Jong Un, already being hailed as the “supreme leader” of the party, state and army.

After 11 days of mourning, a funeral day was set for Wednesday and a memorial service slated for Thursday while foreign news agencies based in Pyongyang, such as Russia’s ITAR-Tass and Xinhua of China, reported a funeral had commenced late Wednesday morning.

Korean Central Television, North Korea’s sole TV station, showed only taped footage of sobbing mourners filing past their fallen leader’s begonia-decked bier while a military orchestra played odes to him and played archived footage of him making “on-the-spot” field trips.

At noon local time, a broadcaster gravely read a news dispatch stating that Kim Jong Un visited his father’s bier with top party and military officials while noting that Kim Jong Il’s body had been lying in Kumsusan Memorial Palace, suggesting the body had been moved.

Heavy snow was falling in Pyongyang at the time, while the media characterized this as evidence that the skies were mourning for the leader as well.

Few details concerning the funeral were revealed, but the ceremonies are expected to follow the tradition set in 1994 with the death of Kim Il Sung which saw Kim Jon Il and top officials participate in a long procession through Pyongyang en route to Kim Il Sung Square, the main plaza of the capital city where thousands of mourners were waiting.

(LAS VEGAS)-Tuesday, Utah and federal officials were laboring to unravel what they believe to be a massive synthetic drug ring sprawling into at least two states.

In November, Las Vegas officers raided a warehouse packed with almost $30 million worth of spice while they said most of the drug, which is a lot like marijuana, was headed to Utah.

Police released a search warrant Tuesday detailing what investigators say is an elaborate and coordinated big-time money-making drug cartel.

When cops busted into the warehouse, located west of the Las Vegas Strip, they were astounded at the amount of drug-related material found inside as it was stuffed to the rafters, sources say.

Among those arrested that day were Utahns Andrew Jakus and Bryan Carlson, who are allegedly associated with a ring of what court documents attest are a group of companies who bring spice to Utah in massive quantities and then distribute it across the state.

Court documents state Deep Powder Marketing of West Valley City, Murray-based Double Diamond Distributors and two other affiliates at West Haven were in on the scheme.

Confidential informants told investigators companies dished out large amounts of spice several times a day to users of the synthetic drug.

Search warrants attest investigators seized computers, guns and bags of what appeared to be spice.

According to documents which were kept from July 29-September 30, Western Wholesale LLC, an alleged spice distributor, paid Deep Powder nearly $60,000, while Deep Powder allegedly supplied Western Wholesale with large amounts of spice.

The Utah Attorney General’s Office is the lead agency on this matter, but will only say there are multiple state agencies in multiple states laboring to bring the rig down.

(MASON CITY, Iowa)-The Associated Press reports GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum refuses to go down with a fight and suggests the contention may even elevate his status.

Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, says he is more likely to be “grinding it out on the campaign trail” than anything else prior to the January 3 presidential caucuses at Iowa.

Nevertheless, he is facing adversity as his cash-strapped campaign has only recently begun running television ads and his organization is small in a state whose contests rely on the ability of campaigns to turn out a slew of supporters.

He has recently earned the support of several key backers, such as former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, the winner of the 2008 Republican caucuses and Sioux City, Iowa-based conservative radio host Sam Clovis as well as several influential evangelical pastors.

Tuesday, he obtained the endorsements of evangelical conservative activists Alex and Brett Harris, the founders of Huck’s Army, a national group known for supporting Huckabee’s 2008 campaign.

Santorum made his presence known by potshotting President Barack Obama for 90 minutes while also attacking Hollywood and “moderate” Republicans, such as Mitt Romney.

Mason City, Iowa Republican Julia Jones, a retired factory worker, says while Santorum does not soften the edges, he does not talk down to constituents but is in-depth.

(HILDALE)-Imprisoned polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs says his followers must be “chosen” by the end of this calendar year, which comes Saturday, or they will be destroyed.

Outside observers say a litany of sect meetings have occurred on almost a daily basis while a set of mysterious construction projects and widespread rebaptism has occurred as his followers react to reports of his supposed prophecies.

Those watching from the outside are growing increasingly concerned that Jeffs, who is incarcerated for life in Texas, is preparing the faithful to his sect for a dramatic new phase, which may entail an exodus from Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Ariz., to another geographic location.

Sam Brower, a Cedar City-based private investigator who has probed the ideals of Jeffs’ sect for years believes adherents to the sect are attempting to live up to Jeffs’ prophesies in hopes that they will appear worthy before him.

Texas corrections officials confirmed Jeffs made two phone calls on Christmas Day and have since launched an investigation to determine if he called his congregation and, in so doing, if he broke the rules.

Prison regulations permit calls up to 15 minutes in length and only to “friends and family” listed on the offender’s visitor list.

Additionally, such calls are only authorized to land-limit home phones, and not to cellphones or business phones while no forwarding of calls is permitted.

Brower says he has also noted unusual construction activity at the sect’s meetinghouse in Colorado City as pallet loads of concrete were taken into the building, perhaps for the construction of a baptismal font.

Brower also says baptismal facilities have been built in a school building a few blocks away in Hildale.

Several sources have also said Jeffs’ brother, Lyle Jeffs, is conducting interviews with members to test their loyalty while Brower asserted that those who pass the loyalty test are being rebaptized.

Brower predicts that the most faithful members, perhaps thousands of them, will be commanded to move to other places of refuge and says the group has outposts in Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and South Dakota.

Recently, Brower obtained copies of Jeffs’ alleged prophecies issued by Jeffs in November which suggest he is soon to cleanse all nations and a final warning has been issued.

Former sect member Isaac Wyler says adherents often take such prophecies literally as he went through the community posting notices of unpaid property taxes to sect members and he was accosted by a group of teens who threw rocks at him.

No one was hurt in the incident.

(RICHFIELD) – The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area has partnered with the Utah Heritage Foundation to promote the appreciation of historic barns in Sevier and Sanpete Counties. The two organizations will co-sponsor the Bicycle Barnstorming Tour, a three-day event to be held the second week of June 2012. The Tour will bring together cyclists, heritage and history buffs and barn aficionados to explore how old barns contribute to the rustic aura of Central Utah.

(FILLMORE) – Millard County Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing concerning the 2012 budget and the opening of the 2011 budget. The meeting will be held Wednesday at 10am at the County Courthouse in Fillmore. Commissioners will also discuss the General Fund and Capital Project list as part of the budgetary process. The public is invited to the hearing to comment on the budget.

(JOSEPH) – A toddler from California was injured in an accident in which he was a passenger Friday morning on I-70 near Joseph. A UHP report said 51-year old Jose Rubio of Commerce City, CA. was traveling eastbound in a 1992 Mazda BTM, when he drifted off the right shoulder of the highway at about 8am. UHP said Rubio overcorrected and rolled his vehicle. Rubio was wearing his seatbelt and was not injured in the accident but three-year old Rubio Valeria was in a car seat and sustained unknown injuries. The child was transported to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield.

(RICHFIELD) – The Sevier County Search and Rescue donated over $400 in food supplies last week to the Central Utah Food Sharing Program in Richfield at their annual recognition dinner. Event organizers said S & R members usually give gifts each year at their dinner but decided to donate the equivalent in food. Food bank personnel told the members that about 60 families would be coming to get supplies over the next several days before Christmas and welcomed the donations.

(RICHFIELD) – A Richfield man was taken to the hospital after being hit on 1300 South in Richfield late Saturday night. According to a UHP report, 19-year old Clement Yelloweyes was traveling eastbound in a 2000 Chevy Malibu, when he attempted to make a turn at 500 West and was hit by a 1997 Saturn SL-2, traveling westbound at about 10pm. UHP said Yelloweyes, along with the driver of the Saturn, 29-year old Christopher Forsythe of Mayfield, went off the road and crashed. Yelloweyes was wearing his seatbelt and was transported to the Sevier Valley Medical Center in Richfield with injuries and Forsythe was not injured. A passenger in the Forsythe vehicle, 26-year old Misty Forsythe, also of Mayfield, was not wearing her seatbelt and was taken to the hospital and released. Two other passengers, four-year old Corban Forsythe and one-year old Elaina Forsythe, both of Mayfield, were seatbelted and not injured. Yelloweyes was cited for failure to yield and driving on a suspended license.

(CEDAR CITY)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports a year after resigning from his role as a Southern Utah University administrator because of his role in a prostitution sting, Wesley Curtis is returning in a new capacity.

Curtis, the one-time vice president for government relations and regional service, was among 50 candidates to apply for this post and was selected as a finalist by a search committee.

Last year, the 59-year-old Curtis was among eight people arrested at a Cedar City motel in December 2010 when an undercover officer posed as a prostitute and negotiated with men to exchange money for sex.

He later resigned, then pleaded guilty to a class B misdemeanor of solicitation while he was fined $623 and ordered to pay restitution.

SUU President Michael T. Benson said he believes in second chances and stated Curtis has already paid a significant price both professionally and personally.

In this new position, Curtis directs off-campus outreach programs, including Rural Health, Head Start, the SUU Business Resource Center and economic development partnerships within the campus’ five-county service area.

(SOUTH JORDAN)-Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love, long renowned for being Utah’s first black mayor, has said she plans to make another splash by announcing her intentions to run for the state’s newly-created 4th Congressional District next month.

Love, who has her campaign headquarters in South Jordan, said she will definitively run for Congress and as a Republican, she enters an already-crowded field which features Orem Representative Stephen Sandstrom and Carl Wimmer of Herriman.

The 36-year-old Love has said being a conservative African-American woman sets her apart and relishes the role of standing out rather than adhering to the status quo.

Love cited her budget-cutting expertise as a mayor, as well as focus on limited government involvement and accentuation of family values as pillars to bolster her credibility among voters.

Love stated she is swiftly raising money in Utah and sources in Washington indicate have exhorted her to run a competitive campaign, she says.

Love, a Connecticut native who was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., is the daughter of Haitian immigrants who came to the U.S. legally and said her beliefs have always resonated with the GOP.

Love moved to Utah 14 years ago to stay with a friend for six months and began dating Jason Love, a recently returned missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints whom she had known during his service in the Connecticut Hartford Mission while she joined the church shortly thereafter.

(SAN FRANCISCO)-The Associated Press reports Thursday a team of firefighters was spending the early morning hours dealing with any “hot spots” left by as many as 60 people being rendered homeless, fire officials reported.

The five-alarm blaze engulfed three buildings before 150 firefighters, or half of the department’s daytime firefighting force, suppressed the flames after a nearly three-hour battle, stated fire chief Joanne Hayes-White.

Officials said they would spend much of the time Friday determining what caused the blaze.

Hayes-White reported one firefighter was sent to the hospital with a burnt neck and a civilian was treated for mild smoke inhalation.

A second firefighter was given oxygen at the scene, she said.

As the fire raged throughout the afternoon, a pillar of thick smoke emerged from a prominent San Francisco neighborhood, rife with Victorian homes while authorities closed several adjacent blocks resulting in significant traffic jams.

Hayes-White said that prominent brisk winds in the area caused the fire to easily spread and since the building where the fire started was made of wood, it directly attached to other buildings.

The Red Cross cared for residents who were displaced by the blaze.

(PARK CITY)-Jessica Frankel, a teenage girl from Ohio, who was critically injured when tubing at Deer Valley, has died, University Hospital of Salt Lake City reported.

A hospital spokesman confirmed Frankel’s death around 8:30 p.m. MST Wednesday.

Frankel and another girl, Janet Oliva, were injured Monday night as they tubed down Success Run at Deer Valley after the resort had closed down the mountain for the day.

Tubing is prohibited at Deer Valley at all times.

As of Wednesday, Oliva’s condition had been upgraded to “fair,” the hospital reported.

The teenage girls were on vacation from school at the Laurel School, a Cleveland-based private school for girls.

Thursday, the school released a statement, saying the community is heartbroken by the incident and their thoughts and prayers are with the girls’ families.

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(PARK CITY) – A teenage girl from Ohio critically injured while tubing at Deer Valley has died from her injuries. A spokesman at University Hospital in Salt Lake City confirmed that Jessica Frankel died about 8:30pm Wednesday. Police reports said Frankel and another girl, Janet Oliva, were injured Monday night while tubing down Success Run at Deer Valley after the resort had closed for the day. Resort officials say tubing is not allowed at the resort. The hospital spokesman said Oliva’s condition was upgraded to fair on Wednesday. The teenage girls were visiting from Ohio and both attended Laurel School, a private school for girls in Cleveland.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports a Bountiful lawmaker is attempting to usher out the Daylight Saving Time era in Utah.

A bill sponsored by Representative Jim Nielson was released this week which would exempt the state from federal guidelines for setting clocks an hour ahead to create longer days during the summer.

Under Nielson’s H.B.199, Utah would opt out of the federal government’s time change, just as neighboring Arizona, Hawaii, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have previously done.

Nielson views daylight saving time as a tactic emanating from Washington to infringe upon a state’s right to set its own time, stating he has never liked the time change.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, daylight saving time was first established by the federal government during World War I as an effort to save energy to offset factory production of war-related materials.

In 2007, the department changed the duration of daylight saving time by about an extra month to reduce energy consumption while the total number of days that fall under the current standards is 238 days, mostly during the summer months.

It has long been argued that the cause for the change is saving energy, but Nielson said some studies have refuted this claim as well.

Nielson said the idea was brought to him by a constituent and noted an additional reason for wanting to abort the time change was it presents a public safety concern for children walking to school in the dark in early morning hours prior to the time change, especially in November.

Other states have attempted to opt out of daylight saving time, such as Colorado, but the measure stalled in Denver during a committee meeting as the 2011 Legislative session played out in the Centennial State.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Associated Press reports a Utah judge has approved plans to collect $2.2 million in back taxes while preventing the land and homes held in a polygamous sect’s trust from being lost to tax sale.

3rd District Judge Denise Lindberg stated a court-appointed accountant can use the threat of eviction to try and compel residents of the sister communities of Hildale, Utah and Colorado City, Ariz. to pay up.

The United Effort Plan communal land trust was once run by Warren Jeffs, the imprisoned leader of the sect in question.

The state of Utah seized control of the trust in 2005 amid allegations of mismanagement while taxes have been overdue on more than 130 land parcels since 2008.

Trust attorneys say the threat of eviction may prompt residents to pay their taxes.

(TOOELE)-KSL-TV in Salt Lake City reports a Tooele man faces kidnapping charges after a dispute with his landlord.

Tooele Police apprehended 18-year-old Aurelio Castillo-Galindo who was found with the girl he was accused of kidnapping, who is younger than 14, after they were traveling via bus to Mexico from Laramie, Wyo., where the crime occurred.

Court documents filed in 3rd District Court Wednesday assert Castillo-Galindo had rented a room from the girl’s mother, his landlord, but engaged in an argument with her roughly two months ago.

He later informed the landlord he was heading to Mexico and taking a girl with him although he did not mention her identity.

The landlord later discovered her daughter was gone when she failed to show up at a friend’s house while investigators later discovered a note written by the girl, saying she loved the suspect.

The girl’s siblings said their sister engaged in a romantic relationship with Castillo-Galindo while he faces one count of kidnapping.

(BETHLEHEM, N.H.)-The Associated Press reports 2012 GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney eschewed a potential one-on-one debate with rival Newt Gingrich prior to the January 3 caucuses slated for Iowa.

Romney told the AP he has had numerous opportunities in the past to spar with Gingrich and many more opportunities may present themselves, but he wants to show respect to all the other candidates.

Romney also resisted making comment on whether Donald Trump is a probable aspirant for the GOP, saying such a notion is up to the media to decide.

Romney has also perpetually refused to be pinned down concerning how Congress should eradicate an impasse which threatens to increase taxes for 160 million American workers, the latest pressing policy debate he has not responded definitively upon.

Romney has, however, said another extension could be probable, suggesting if an extension is granted, it should last a year instead of for a two-month increment, which is how long the current one lasts.

Romney closed his remarks with the AP by saying he would be surprised if the stalemate is not resolved on a “timely basis.”

(DRAPER)-KSL-TV Channel 5 in Salt Lake City reports the city of Draper and Zions Bank have agreed on terms to end a $25 million lawsuit over the unfinished Suncrest development in the southern Salt Lake County community.

The development, which failed in 2007, left Zions on the hook to pay $40 million in unpaid loan debt while the bank bought the development out of bankruptcy in 2008 for $25.3 million with the intention of selling as quickly as possible to help recoup losses.

Failed infrastructure in the development emerged as a concern by Draper while Zions initially brought the suit in June 2009, accusing the city of sabotaging deals with potential buyers of the unfinished development.

Tuesday, the Draper City Council voted 5-0 to accept terms agreed upon by Zions to have the suit waived, stated city attorney Doug Ahlstrom.

Beforehand, the bank had already agreed to the terms and at the time of this story was awaiting an official copy of documents to sign, Ahlstrom said.

Under this agreement, the city would accept Suncrest Drive and the paved portion of Deer Ridge Drive while assuming responsibility for correcting problems pertaining to the design and construction.

Several attending the council meeting objected to the anticipated use of city funds in the endeavor Ahlstrom confirmed.

Zions announced last February it had reached an agreement to sell this development to MCO Properties of Fountain Hill, Ariz. while Tuesday’s agreement plays into the bank’s agreement with MCO, the bank says it is poised to construct more than 3,000 homes in underdeveloped portions of the 4,500-acre development.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – Utah water managers are saying the water supply outlook for the state remains promising despite the lack of snowstorms. National Weather Service Hydrologist Brian McInerney, says the record-setting wet spring this year on top of a record-breaking snowpack last year, will help water supplies remain at above average levels. Randy Julander of the Utah Snow Survey says dry weather in northern Utah has drawn down the snowpack but southern Utah is faring better, with anywhere from 60-100% of average snowpack. Weather forecasters say a storm moving into the Wasatch Front this week should help with a few inches of snow in the mountains.

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.)-KPHO-TV, Channel 5 in Phoenix reports Maricopa County (Ariz.) prosecutor Bill Montgomery says more than two dozen Arizona politicians who received free game tickets to the annual Fiesta Bowl will not face criminal charges.

Montgomery made his statements Wednesday, stating his investigation into whether the elected officials in question illegally accepted or failed to report the gifts failed to find sufficient evidence to pursue criminal cases.

Montgomery blamed inconsistent laws, vague reporting inquiries and a requirement that a defendant knowingly violate the law served as factors in his decision.

Montgomery is calling upon the state Legislature to toughen reporting requirements, ban gifts outright and make these violations, should they occur in the future, a felony.

Federal authorities are separately investigating other aspects of the Fiesta Bowl scandal, including an alleged scheme to reimburse employees for political contributions.

Additionally, one former executive has been charged in that case.

Robert Shelton, the former University of Arizona president and current Fiesta Bowl executive director says there may be some subsequent blips for indictments, when they are meted out, but those will affect individuals instead of the organization.

Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne is presently leading the investigation against the Fiesta Bowl but gave a portion of the political investigation to Montgomery to avoid a conflict of interest since it involves fellow Republican leaders and lobbyists.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah’s new immigration enforcement law is threatening the human and civil rights of Mexican nationals, attorneys for the government of Mexico wrote in a “friend of the court” brief filed in U.S. District Court.

This matter correlates with a lawsuit challenging the law’s constitutionality, The Deseret News reports.

In a separate filing seeking a preliminary injunction against certain sections of the law, federal attorneys cite the legislative debate over H.B.497 earlier this year as evidence Utah lawmakers intended to usurp the government’s authority concerning immigration enforcement.

Attorneys representing 13 Latin American countries, including Mexico, wrote in an amicus brief filed recently that Utah’s immigration law is a dangerous contributor to a patchwork of laws which stifle effective and consistent diplomatic correspondence between the nations in question and the U.S.

The bill, the brainchild of Orem Republican Stephen Sandstrom, was enforced in March and in the interim has been consistently challenged by civil rights organizations as well as the U.S. Department of Justice.

Those joining Mexico in the amicus brief included Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

Primarily, Mexico City is concerned with the “adverse impact” laws such as H.B.497 may have upon “the breadth and scope” of a bilateral relationship with Washington.

Last week, the Department of Justice motion said the law’s enforcement would inflict irrevocable injury upon the U.S.’ ability to manage foreign policy.

In a brief seeking a preliminary injunction, the DOJ said H.B.497 represents an attempt to usurp the federal government’s constitutional authority from setting immigration policy.

Tuesday, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said the federal government’s motion and the amicus brief filed were nearly identical to other briefs filed by the parties while challenging other states’ immigration laws.

The DOJ memorandum believes it is likely the U.S. will succeed on the merits of this preemption as they believe Sandstrom’s law infringes upon “exclusively federal responsibilities” and conflicts with the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

(ATLANTA, Mich.)-The Associated Press reports the federal government is now seeking to sever all ties with the wolf-protection business, leaving the enforcement of animals in particular regions to be up to individual states and even the wolves themselves.

Wednesday, the Obama administration announced it has declared more than 4,000 wolves in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin to have recovered from previously extensive extermination and as such they will be removed from the endangered species list.

Coupled with an earlier move from five Western states, the decision has placed the gray wolf at a historical crossroads, one that could test both its reputation for resilience and tolerance for ranchers and hunters bemoaning its attacks on livestock and big game.

Wednesday’s announcement may perhaps open the door to hunting wolves in the Great Lakes region but presently, no seasons have been set and federal officials have said they will continue monitoring the population for the next five years.

David Mech, a senior scientist with the St. Paul, Minn.-based U.S. Geological Survey, and a leading wolf expert, says wolves are in their most propitious condition in the past century while their long-term survival is contingent upon how much wildland remains in the region.

Additionally, Wednesday, the Obama administration announced it has postponed a decision in 29 Eastern states wherein no wolves are presently found.

The Interior Department has said it was still reconsidering its prior claim that wolves in states where historically they were deemed a separate species, which would effectively cancel out protections currently in place.

In the West, Montana and Idaho, states where wolves can now be legally hunted and trapped, officials are attempting to bring wolf populations down precipitously as the animals have been attacking herds of elk as well as farm animals.

In certain areas, ranchers are permitted to shoot wolves to defend their livestock while in the northern Rockies, which are found in Montana, Alberta and British Columbia, government wildlife agents have routinely shot wolves from aircraft in response to these attacks.

Idaho has been the most aggressive state or province in terms of stifling the wolf population as officials offer a 10-month wolf hunting season which sets no limits.

Authorities in the Gem State say officials intend to reduce the population from the present 750 to as few as 150, the minimum permitted by the federal government for the animal to be kept off the endangered species list.

Studies assert a plentiful habitat for wolves remains in place for other regions, including upstate New York, northern New England and the southern Rockies states of Utah and Colorado.

However, experts with the Fish and Wildlife Service’s plan would mean any wolves wandering into those states could be shot on sight unless state laws protect them.

(NEW HAVEN, Conn.)-The Associated Press reports that the mayor of New Haven, Conn., the state’s second-largest city, is seeking to extend voting rights to illegal immigrants, a move which correlates with the city’s history of being a refuge for outcasts.

Democratic Mayor, John DeStefano, has previously assisted illegals as four years ago he launched an unprecedented program to give them city-assisted resident cards.

Notwithstanding the crackdowns which have occurred elsewhere throughout the U.S., DeStefano has moved onward with proposals he says are designed to find common ground in the diverse city of 129,779 residents, as of the 2010 Census.

Numerous U.S. cities, such as New York, Cambridge, Mass. and San Francisco have taken a hands-off approach to the pursuance of illegals and advocates claim they are “rightly distancing” themselves from a decimated immigration system.

However, detractors asserts they are flouting federal law by setting up “sanctuary cities,” a controversial label among the Democratic faction.

In previous GOP debates, 2012 Republican candidacy aspirant Newt Gingrich has vowed to cut off federal funding for these “cities.”

Additionally, one of his rivals, Texas Governor Rick Perry, pushed a bill which would have prohibited cities from acting as a sanctuary for illegals while allowing local law enforcement to be more proactive in these matters.

Mitt Romney has also spoken against these sanctuaries and vowed to find the “right approach” to ending them, if such an endeavor is legal.

Presently, more than 70 cities and states nationwide bar police from asking community residents who have not yet been arrested to confirm their legal status, according to information from the Washington-based Immigration Policy Center, a nonpartisan research organization.

These policies, however, do not withhold the right of state or local police to report foreign-born criminals to the Department of Homeland Security.

New Haven reportedly features as many as 12,000 illegal immigrants, resettles roughly 200 refugees annually and hosts about 2,000 non-citizens of the U.S. who are associated with Yale University, which is based in the city.

DeStefano says GOP attacks against him are unrelated to his city and suggested critics are using immigrants as scapegoats in this weak economy.

DeStefano further stated non-citizens, even if they are illegals, already work and pay taxes in the city and if they are allowed to vote in municipal elections, it would further bolster their presence in the community.

Officials in the Connecticut capital city of Hartford have assisted him in calling upon local officials not to honor detainer requests for immigrants who could be subject to deportation after being picked up for minor violations.

However, Mike Lawlor, the liaison of criminal justice policy for Governor Dannel P. Malloy, said the administration shares the concern that all types of illegal immigrants will be targeted, instead of solely “serious offenders.”

(WASHINGTON)-The Associated Press reports President Barack Obama is blaming his GOP adversaries for the stalemate which emerged Tuesday concerning a two-month extension of tax cuts and unemployment benefits for millions of jobless throughout the country.

House Speaker John Boehner informed the press Obama had sought assistance from him while his fellow Republicans have advised him to avoid engaging in anything confrontational with Democrats in a year already rife with contentious government in Washington.

Another deadline has become intertwined in the dispute, which affects seniors, but the administration announced it has found a way around this stumbling block while officials stated paperwork for doctors who treat Medicare patients in the early days of the new year will not be processed until January 18, giving lawmakers more time to avert a 27 percent paycut in fees threatened for January 1.

Regardless of how things shake out, the AP states, it seems improbable the GOP will get their way in regard to negotiations with the Senate as Senate Majority Leader, Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada, said he would love to resume talks on a yearlong measure but not before the House ratifies a two-month bill and sends it to Obama for his signature.

CASTLE DALE, Utah (AP)-Michael Roberts and Smokey Osborn had 13 points apiece as the Beaver Beavers edged the Emery Spartans, 45-43 Tuesday in non-region boys basketball action.

DELTA, Utah (AP)-Chad Corry’s 24 points led the way and the Canyon View Falcons ousted the Delta Rabbits, 62-57 in non-region boys basketball action Tuesday at the Palladium. Taylor Bahr amassed 18 points in defeat for Delta.

PAROWAN, Utah (AP)-Tanner Monroe had 17 points to pace the Richfield Wildcats as they bested Parowan, 53-47 Tuesday in non-region boys basketball action.

ORDERVILLE, Utah (AP)-Whitni Syrett posted 21 points and the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs downed Valley, 53-30 in Region 20 girls basketball action Tuesday. Brittney Frost had 7 points in defeat for the Lady Buffs.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)-Haley Robins stepped up with 21 points and the Wayne Lady Badgers crushed the Piute Lady Thunderbirds, 53-32 Tuesday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Chelsie Sylvester had 14 points in defeat for Piute.

NEPHI, Utah (AP)-Tessa Bradford had 16 points and the Juab Lady Wasps stymied Maple Mountain, 62-52 in non-region girls basketball action Tuesday.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)-Hattie Snyder had 18 points and the Beaver Lady Beavers surged past the North Sevier Lady Wolves, 58-46 in non-region girls basketball action Tuesday. Erica Hallows led North Sevier with 12 points in defeat.

KANAB, Utah (AP)-Calli Jackson led all scorers with 21 points and the Kanab Cowgirls shellacked the Pine View Lady Panthers, 55-31 Tuesday in non-region girls basketball action.

ENTERPRISE, Utah (AP)-Megan Bean’s 20 points led the way and the Richfield Lady Wildcats tripped up Enterprise, 48-37 in non-region girls basketball action Tuesday.

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)-Kylee Mackelprang had 14 points and the South Sevier Lady Rams stonewalled Gunnison, 41-29 Tuesday in non-region girls basketball action. Madee Christenson had 10 points in defeat for the Lady Bulldogs.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The fate of Utah’s 43 state parks is still a question as lawmakers try to wean them away from taxpayer dollars. For the last several years, the state parks division has seen general fund allocations shaved dramatically by budget crafters as revenues have dried up amid tough financial times. Lawmakers are looking at reducing or ceasing operations of some parks in the wintertime, hiring fewer rangers and charging higher fees during peak visitations. Some want to close several parks that don’t produce revenue. Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources Mike Styler said $2.8 million for state parks was withdrawn from the budget from last year’s legislative session, only to be put back in. Gov. Herbert wants to keep state funds in state parks, while looking for ways to make them more efficient. Several lawmakers want state parks to be managed locally, or involve the community to keep them open. The 2012 legislative session will address the future of the parks.

(SANTAQUIN) – A Santaquin man is still in shock after winning a lime green Lamborghini from the Maverik Convenience Stores. Officials from Maverik delivered a brand new Murcielago Roadster to David Dopp on Saturday after he won the company’s 18-month “Joe Schmo to Lambo” contest. Dopp said he found out he was the winner during a November BYU vs. Idaho football game. He said he wanted to do back-flips down the field. The man signed up for Maverik’s Adventure Club Card and opted in to the contest more than a year ago. Participants earned chances to win every time they used the card. The contest was co-sponsored by the non-profit organization TeamGive, which raises awareness about rare neurological diseases. The car has been touring through nine western states where Maverik operates.

(DELTA) – Investigators say the body of a man found in a remote area outside of Delta is believed to have been there for at least a year. A geologist doing work in the area found the partially decomposed body Sunday near the Sevier Dry Lake area west of Delta. The Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office said following a preliminary autopsy on Monday, the cause of death was still undetermined and being treated as suspicious by the Millard County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s Spokesperson Lindsay Mitchell said the man is described as about 5-foot, 7-inches tall and between 130 and 150 pounds. Mitchell said that man is between 40 and 50 years of age and had a full reddish-colored beard and hair. His body was found in an area that would only be accessible by ATV’s or by hiking. No additional evidence was discovered at the scene that would identify the man.

(NEPHI) – The Juab County Sheriff’s Office and court administrators are looking for ways to bolster security at the courthouse after an audit found the facility did not meet state court security standards. Sheriff Alden Orme said the problems stemmed from the layout of the building, which was a high school converted into courthouse in the 1980’s. Orme said the facility has not yet presented any incidents of violence but could be safer than it is. He cited examples of ushering prisoners into court after walking through several public access areas and not enough exits in the building. Orme said the solution to the problems is constructing a new facility but those plans are have not been discussed.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – New federal regulations for coal and oil-fired power plants could potentially have an impact on Utah. PacificCorp’s coal-burning plant in Carbon County has been slated for closure in 2020 but may be closed earlier due to new federal environmental regulations on older plants. Rocky Mountain Power Spokesperson, Maria O’Mara, says a final decision on closing the plant earlier than expected has not been made yet. She said RMP’s parent company, PacifiCorp, is in discussions with internal personnel and state officials. O’Mara said the two-unit, 172-megawatt plant has been in operation since 1954 and according to the EPA’s Toxics Release Inventory for 2010, the plant released nearly 216 tons of pollutants, including toxic mercury, chromium, lead and hydrochloric acid. The Utah Division of Air Quality said the new federal regulations should not have a big impact in the state because most of the plants are relatively new.

(REDMOND) – Sevier County deputies are looking for two suspects involved in theft of copper wire at a home under construction in Redmond. According to a sheriff’s report, a witness saw two men take a spool of copper wire from a home at 410 South 100 East in Redmond on Saturday. The witness said the suspects fled in a small red passenger car when they saw the witness. Sevier and Sanpete County deputies sent out an Attempt-To-Locate the vehicle but have not found it. The value of the wire is about $150. The sheriff’s report said tire and shoe tracks left at the scene were documented and deputies are following up to see if those match any tracts left at other scenes.

(Ephraim) The Ephraim City Fire Department was dispatched about 4:45 this morning after a garage fire was reported at the Meade Squire home in Ephraim. Officials reported that the garage and one vehicle were totaled in the fire. The State Fire Marshal investigated the scene and determined that the fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle and was likely due to a short in the electrical system. The garage was detached from the home which allowed fire crew to keep it isolated to the one structure. No injuries were reported.

ORDERVILLE, Utah (AP)-Morgan Hoyt had 11 points and the Valley Buffaloes edged Diamond Ranch, 41-39 Saturday in Region 20 boys basketball action.

TROPIC, Utah (AP)-Eddie Dunham and Jake Pearson each posted 18 points and the Bryce Valley Mustangs decimated the Escalante Moquis, 97-46 in Region 20 boys basketball action Saturday. Jared Noyes had 15 points in defeat for Escalante.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)-Dalan Bennett amassed 27 points as the Panguitch Bobcats bested the Wayne Badgers, 62-51 Saturday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Ty Rees had 11 points and six assists in defeat for Wayne.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Trent Snow led the way with 24 points as the Cedar Redmen stonewalled Richfield, 58-41 in non-region boys basketball action Saturday. Jordan Kemp had 12 points in defeat for the Wildcats.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)-Joel Swallow had 20 points and the Millard Eagles edged the Gunnison Bulldogs, 49-48 Saturday in non-region boys basketball action. Colby Caldwell led all scorers with 22 points in defeat for Gunnison.

MILFORD, Utah (AP)-Anthony Hardman and Ty Jessen had 14 points apiece and the Piute Thunderbirds stormed past the Milford Tigers, 62-37 in Region 20 boys basketball action Saturday.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)-Darci Clark had 16 points as the Wayne Lady Badgers surged past the Millard Lady Eagles, 55-49 Saturday in non-region girls basketball action. Cheryl Stephenson paced Millard with 17 points in the loss.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Rashel Blazzard’s 24 points led the Morgan Lady Trojans in a 59-27 rout of Juab Saturday at the Sevier Valley Center. Tessa Bradford had 14 points in defeat for the Lady Wasps.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Kennedy Springer had 8 points and the Delta Lady Rabbits held off the Enterprise Lady Wolves, 26-25 at the Sevier Valley Center Saturday. Jaycee Reber had 9 points in the loss for Enterprise.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Kasidee Evans had 9 points and the North Summit Lady Braves stymied the South Sevier Lady Rams, 31-19 Saturday at the Sevier Valley Center. Shelby Sorenson had 7 points in the loss for South Sevier.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Whitney Houston led the way with 12 points and the Kanab Cowgirls outlasted the South Summit Lady Wildcats, 36-33 at the Sevier Valley Center Saturday.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Rebecca Mawhinney stepped up with 15 points and the Wasatch Lady Wasps downed the North Sevier Lady Wolves, 44-40 Saturday at the Sevier Valley Center. Kelsey Barney had 21 points in the loss for North Sevier.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Hattie Snyder had 16 points for the Beaver Lady Beavers as they tripped up the North Sanpete Lady Hawks, 48-37 at the Sevier Valley Center Saturday. Taylor Gordon had 13 points in the loss for the Lady Hawks.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Megan Bean and Sloane Roundy had 19 points apiece as the Richfield Lady Wildcats edged the Canyon View Lady Falcons, 46-44 Saturday at the Sevier Valley Center.

MESQUITE, Nev. (AP)-Natashia Barney had 11 points but it wasn’t enough as the Panguitch Lady Bobcats fell to Pahranagat Valley (Nev.) 38-36 at the Virgin Valley Classic Saturday.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – Federal regulators filed a lawsuit Thursday against a father and son from Ft. Green in a more than $200-million Ponzi scheme. The lawsuit named 58-year old Wendell Jacobson and his son, 33-year old Allen Jacobson and their company, Management Solutions, Inc., which served as an umbrella for other entities. The suit said the pair took in millions of dollars from about 225 investors. U.S. District Judge Bruce Jenkins signed an order Thursday that froze assets of the Jacobson’s and their company and appointed an attorney as the receiver with control of the involved companies. In court papers, the Jacobson’s solicited investors in multi-family apartment complexes with low occupancy rates, then rehabilitating them for sale at a substantial profit. Investors were promised the Jacobson’s would invest 50% of their own funds if the investors kicked in the rest, with a promised return of five to eight percent. The lawsuit claims the Jacobson’s never invested their own money and falsely said their complexes had never lost money. The Jacobson’s attorney said the pair are cooperating fully with federal regulators.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Mike Lee has co-sponsored legislation designed to protect American citizens from indefinite detention by the military. The Due Process Guarantee Act of 2011 clarifies that a declaration of war or authorization for the use of military force by Congress, does not authorize the indefinite detention of American citizens who are apprehended in the United States. Lee said Americans who commit treason, or plot treasonous acts, should be punished for their crimes but granting the U.S. government the power to deprive its own citizens of life, liberty or property without due process of law, goes against the very nature of our nation’s constitutional values.

The Ephraim Middle School presented two Candle’s last night to two local residents. Paul Rasmussen of Ephraim received the first candle. He is a father of seven, a retired teacher from Snow College and was involved in Teaching English in China with the Snow College Exchange program. He is active in his church, the Lions club, along with the Rotary and Library boards.

The second recipient was Barbara Jensen of Manti. She is a wife, mother, and proud grandmother. Barbara taught school for 30 years in Manti. She is active in her local church and is an avid cub scout leader.

Both recipients received their honors last night during the Ephraim Middle School Candlelight Ceremony.

(FLAMING GORGE NATIONAL RECREATIONAL AREA)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports a coalition of 10 conservation groups is seeking to intervene in a federal permitting process for a proposed pipeline to take water from the Green River to Colorado’s Front Range.

The privately backed proposal would divert water from above Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Wyoming and funnel it across the southern portion of The Cowboy State, then further southward through the Denver metropolitan area en route to Pueblo, Colo.

Presently, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is reviewing the plan.

Groups, including the Utah Rivers Council and the Wyoming Outdoor Council, formed the Colorado River Protection Coalition in hopes of advocating against the project, which they claim endangers fish and and water rights in Utah.

The FERC process enables members of the public with a stake in the matter to intervene and the coalition asserts it is part of the negotiations.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Thursday, the Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation announced it has named Fred Hayes as its acting director and will guide the agency through the upcoming legislative session.

Hayes, who has been with the department since 1982, has been deputy director and replaces Mary Tullius, whose retirement is effective December 23.

The division’s executive director, Mike Styler, said the organization is fortunate to have Hayes lead the agency in this capacity.

Styler said the department plans to conduct an extensive search and interview process and hopes to name a new director soon after the legislative session concludes in March.

The parks division has come under fire from lawmakers in part because of a critical audit released early last year which said too many of the state’s 43 parks were being subsidized by tax dollars.

The audit asked lawmakers to consider public policy implications of such subsidies and to consider exploring other options such as seasonal closures, reduction of full-time staff or pursuing public-private partnerships.

Tim Smith, the southeastern region manager will currently fill in as acting deputy director, while the acting southeastern manager will be Eugene Swarberg, the Green River state park manager.

Additionally, Lawrence Twitchell will serve as acting southwest region manager, replacing the retiring Larry Gray.

(LAS VEGAS)-The Associated Press reports as the recession ensues, the West is recovering faster than other parts of the country as a whole, but employment levels across the region still remained well below pre-recession levels.

Additionally, the housing market has shown few signs of improvement at this stage according to an economic report released Thursday.

The report, prepared by Brookings Mountain West researchers at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas focused upon economic growth in 10 metropolitan areas scattered throughout Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado and Idaho.

Overall, the region experienced a modest 0.3 percent growth in employment in the quarter ending in September, compared to the national rate of 0.1 percent, the study found.

Meanwhile, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico, states that have constructed broad economic bases, struggled the least, researches confirmed.

In Arizona and Nevada, the extensive housing collapse continued to limit job growth, the report stated.

Overall, every metropolitan area lagged behind pre-recession employment levels while Phoenix and Las Vegas experienced the sharpest differences and job levels languished 10.8 and 13.4 percent, respectively, below pre-recession peaks.

Utah and New Mexico were found to have the lowest unemployment rates as metro areas in those states, such as Salt Lake City and Albuquerque, have had better luck than Phoenix and Las Vegas, while Nevada’s largest city had the highest unemployment rate, at 13.6 percent.

Leading the recovery were Ogden and Provo, who each saw employment rise by 1.5 percent although Tucson, Ariz. and Colorado Springs, Colo. were still showing signs of difficulty.

Manufacturing gains in the Provo and Ogden areas caused the respective economies to grow while government expansion bolstered Boise, Idaho’s sprawl.

Conversely, government layoffs at Colorado Springs, Las Vegas, Albuquerque and Denver caused those economies to slightly diminish.

Still, there are propitious signs, the researchers say, as prices remained stagnant or improved in eight of the metropolitan areas for the first time since the recession commenced in 2007.

In Las Vegas and Tucson, home values continued to fall, albeit at a much slower rate than previous quarters.

Researchers stated hard-hit Tucson, Boise and Phoenix will not see improved home prices in the foreseeable future in closing their report.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Jurors have resumed deliberations in Novell’s $1 billion federal antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash. and say they are close to a verdict, The Associated Press reports.

Novell, Inc., formerly of Provo and now part of a Seattle-based conglomerate, sued in 2004, claiming Microsoft duped it into developing a version of its WordPerfect writing program for Windows 95 after which the plug was pulled, enabling Microsoft to gain market share with its own Word program.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates testified in November that Novell was unable to deliver a compatible WordPerfect program in time for the rollout, and that Microsoft’s Word program was transcendent anyway.

Late Thursday, jurors asserted they were making progress in deciding whether Novell was entitled to damages.

Friday morning, they said they were close to finishing deliberations.

(ABERDEEN, Miss.)-The Associated Press reports a Mississippi man has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for threatening to kill President Barack Obama and blow up a hospital that refused to grant his wife surgery.

Attala County (Miss.) resident David Williams was arrested last July after Jackson, Miss.-based University of Mississippi Medical Center officials reported the threat while he pleaded guilty August 31.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated the 45-year-old Williams was also sentenced for three years supervised release as well as alcohol and anger management courses.

Williams will receive credit for five months he has spent in jail.

The Secret Service has said Williams called the hospital to schedule his wife’s surgery but when the hospital refused, he threatened to blow it up and also kill Obama, using a racial epithet in his comments.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Thursday, Utah Democratic Representative Jim Matheson announced he will jump from the 2nd District, where he has served the past 10 years, to the state’s new district in hopes of seeking reelection.

However, this is a district wherein he does not live and already GOP challengers are taking shots at Utah’s sole Democrat in Congress.

Kirk Jowers, the director of the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics has said Matheson’s decision has set up a “must-see politics” event.

Matheson stated the state Legislature’s redrawing of congressional boundaries this fall instigated his move as the district he has known no longer exists.

Challengers to Matheson’s seat include Orem Republican Stephen Sandstrom, and Herriman Republican Representative Carl Wimmer and attorney Jay Cobb. Saratoga Springs Mayor Mia Love is also running, but has not yet made a formal announcement.

Sandstrom said Matheson’s appearance in the race promises to give Utah more national attention while Wimmer has thrown the gauntlet down to Matheson to “quit acting like a Liberal.”

Utah Democratic Party Chairman Jim Dabakis lauded Matheson’s decision, saying he is a “great fix” for the 4th District.

LAVERKIN, Utah (AP)-Dirk Chynoweth keyed a balanced scoring attack with 17 points as the Bryce Valley Mustangs smacked Diamond Ranch, 65-41 Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action.

JUNCTION, Utah (AP)-Tyler Dalton led the way with 15 points and the Piute Thunderbirds decimated the Escalante Moquis, 87-47 in Region 20 boys basketball action Thursday. Jared Noyes had 14 points in defeat for Escalante.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)-Colby Spencer posted 16 points and the Valley Buffaloes outlasted the Wayne Badgers, 37-35 Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Ty Rees had 12 points in defeat for Wayne.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)-Tyce Barney amassed 25 points and 11 boards as the Panguitch Bobcats shellacked the Milford Tigers, 82-45 Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)-Keri Brunson netted 15 points as the Millard Lady Eagles bested the American Leadership Lady Eagles, 55-47 in non-region girls basketball action Thursday.

(MESQUITE, Nev.)-Officers representing the Southern Area Interdiction Narcotics Team, comprised of the Mesquite, Nev. Police Department and the Nevada Department of Public Safety, arrested two Utah men on several drug charges during a routine traffic stop Tuesday evening.

Around 9:34 p.m. PST Tuesday, officers noted a 2006 Dodge Stratus with an unreadable temporary tag driving northbound on Interstate 15 at mile marker 114, roughly six miles south of Mesquite, and pulled the vehicle over.

While speaking with the driver, officers observed the passenger making furtive movements and exhibiting suspicious behavior.

While conversing with the occupants, authorities detected small balloons consisting of heroine and cocaine on the passenger side floorboard.

After obtaining consent to search the vehicle from its registered owner, officers arrested both of them.

Those arrested were 26-year-old Kenneth Taylor of St. George and 21-year-old Darwin Lee of Ivins.

Taylor and Lee were transported to the Clark County (Nev.) Detention Center at Las Vegas without incident.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports Wednesday, friends and family of 25-year-old Daniel Maumau apologized for his crimes as a member of a Tongan Crip Gang and said he became a changed man after the birth of his daughter notwithstanding his looming prison sentence.

Crimes Maumau was convicted of in his federal case, assault with a dangerous weapon and using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, occurred in 2007.

Maumau said he is prepared to serve his sentence and hopes to obtain a college degree while imprisoned.

Court Judge Tena Campbell also sentenced Eric Kamahele, who received 32 years in prison for racketeering conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon in aid of racketeering, using or carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and robbery.

Maumau and Kamahele were two of six TCG members convicted of crimes last October which date back to 2002.

This verdict comes after a five-week trial and two days of deliberation.

Overall, 17 TCG members and associates were charged in a 29-count indictment filed in federal court in May 2010, alleging that the gang engages in acts of violence to enhance its prestige, while protecting and expanding the gang’s operations.

At trial, Maumau was accused of shooting into a house, during a drive-by while Kamahele was involved in robbing a parking lot attendant.

Both were also accused of being present during other gang crimes.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Deseret News reports a new map, detailing 1,800 square miles of unique Utah geography, is now available to the public.

The extensive map covers everything from large chunks of U.S. Forest Service land to geologic features, such as quarries and mines.

The map, produced by the Utah Geological Survey, primarily depicts geology in a previously unprecedented manner and is available as a GIS database or color plot.

It is hoped the map will be instrumental in assisting consultants and land-use managers in addressing geologic hazard and resource issues as well as helping educators and others interested in learning more about Utah’s unique geology.

Geologic hazards, such as slope failures, landslides and active earthquake faults, including the Provo segment of the Wasatch fault, are present throughout the map.

Among the areas enclosed in the map area are Deer Creek Reservoir, Utah Lake, American Fork Canyon and Timpanogos Cave National Monument and Provo Canyon and Sundance Resort.

The Interim Geologic Map of the Provo 30×60 Quadrangle, Salt Lake, Utah and Wasatch counties is available either in printed form or on DVD for $24.95 at the Natural Resources Map and Bookstore at 1594 W. North Temple Salt Lake City.

For more information, please visit www.mapstore.utah.gov.

(MONTEBELLO, Calif.)-The Associated Press reports a 10-mile stretch of a major freeway in the greater Los Angeles area will remain closed throughout the weekend after intense heat from a burning gasoline tanker sent chunks of concrete raining from an overpass, authorities revealed Thursday.

Commuters were exhorted to take extra time, use alternate routes or rely upon public transit as crews cleaned up this site prior to inspecting the bridge over California S.R. 60, or the Pomona Freeway, a major arterly connecting downtown Los Angeles to the San Gabriel Valley and eastern counties.

California Department of Transportation spokesman Patrick Chandler told KTTV-TV, Channel 11 in Los Angeles, crews had removed damaged pavement under the partially-melted truck and later planned to pressure-wash the overpass and take a core sample in hopes of determining whether the bridge can remain safe.

Chandler said inspectors were unable to get to the overpass for hours after the crash because the concrete remained hot and fuel had spilled from the tanker.

California Highway Patrol Officer Ed Jacobs confirmed the section will remain closed throughout the weekend.

The cause of the fire cannot be confirmed until inspectors peruse the melted truck while investigators are presently looking at all possibilities, including whether the trucks’ brakes may have overheated.

(GOSHEN)-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is in the process of rolling out a new series of short films depicting the life of the Church’s head, Jesus Christ.

During the Church’s annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional December 4, a sneak peek was given of the first few scenes of the series, during remarks by President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency which saw Christ’s early life unfold.

President Eyring also said these films are not exclusive to Latter-Day Saints but to all Christians or anyone else who is interested in seeing them.

The production, shot on site in Goshen, near Santaquin, has been depicted in such a way as to capture the essence of the Savior’s early days in Galilee.

As the series progresses, the versatile scenery will take on the look of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago, an important scene in many of Christ’s activities.

President Eyring stated the series will be released incrementally for free at www.biblevideos.org and presently, more actors are being sought for the next phase of shooting.

All of those interested in this endeavor should visit www.lds.org for more information.

(MULLAN, Idaho)-The Associated Press reports seven miners were pulled from an area more than a mile below the earth’s surface after tragedy struck at a northern Idaho silver mine where two workers died in separate mishaps this year.

One of the men was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries around 7:40 p.m. PST Wednesday evening by a rock burst, or an explosion of rock caused by excessive pressure from the weight on the ground.

Work was being done in the Lucky Friday, one of the nation’s deepest underground mines.

Initial reports implied the miners could have been trapped but this was not the case, stated Hecla Mining Company spokeswoman Melanie Hennessey.

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration will investigate the accident that happened after two other Lucky Friday silver miners died in an April incident.

In regard to this accident, the investigation report cited Lucky Friday management for failing to install adequate ground support systems and neglecting to test the area’s stability wherein the collapse that killed miner Larry Marek, occurred.

The mine is currently undergoing a $200 million project to deepen it to nearly 9,000 feet in hopes of increasing access to deeper silver deposits.

Officials with Vancouver, British Columbia and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho-based Hecla expect this project to be completed by 2014.

OREM, Utah (AP)-Cameron Bailey posted 16 points and the Timpanogos Timberwolves surged past the Juab Wasps, 55-44 Wednesday in non-region boys basketball action. Brayden Kaae and Spencer McPherson had 10 points apiece in the loss for Juab.

PAROWAN, Utah (AP)-Colby Caldwell amassed 22 points and the Gunnison Bulldogs outlasted the Parowan Rams, 50-45 in non-region boys basketball action Wednesday. Justin Hulet and Tristin Adams had 11 points apiece in the loss for Parowan.

DELTA, Utah (AP)-Colton Marshall posted 23 points and the Hurricane Tigers hammered the Delta Rabbits, 66-47 Wednesday in non-region boys basketball action at the Palladium. Kyle Church led the way for Delta with 17 points in the loss.

KAMAS, Utah (AP)-Colton Dunn had 17 points and the North Sanpete Hawks gashed the South Summit Wildcats, 61-43 in non-region boys basketball action Wednesday.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)-Kody Shepard posted 17 points and the North Sevier Wolves doubled up the Beaver Beavers, 38-19 Wednesday in non-region boys basketball action. Tyler Roberts had 7 points in defeat for Beaver.

MANTI, Utah (AP)-Jordan Kemp led the way with 16 points and the Richfield Wildcats bested the Manti Templars, 53-45 in non-region boys basketball action Wednesday. Devin Cluff had 19 points to pace the Templars in defeat.

PRICE, Utah (AP)-Kaden King had 25 points, including six 3-pointers and the South Sevier Rams stonewalled the Carbon Dinos, 62-43 Wednesday in non-region boys basketball action.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)-Sydney Cornforth had 19 points and the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs smacked the Escalante Lady Moquis, 67-46 in Region 20 girls basketball action Wednesday. Lindsey Phillips had 22 points in the loss for Escalante.

MILFORD, Utah (AP)-Mariah Dotson led all scorers with 19 points and the Milford Lady Tigers surged past the Piute Lady Thunderbirds, 52-38 Wednesday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Chelsie Sylvester had 14 points to lead Piute in defeat.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)-Sarah Taylor had 11 points and the Wayne Lady Badgers snuck past the Panguitch Lady Bobcats, 40-32 in Region 20 girls basketball action Wednesday. Natasha Barney led all scorers with 14 points in defeat for Panguitch.

KAMAS, Utah (AP)-Alisha Lewis amassed 11 points and the South Summit Lady Wildcats got past the North Sanpete Lady Hawks, 54-51 in non-region girls basketball action Wednesday. Paige Francks had 16 points for North Sanpete in the loss.

WASHINGTON CITY, Utah (AP)-Carissa Fiame and Kenzie Hawes had 6 points apiece and the Pine View Lady Panthers outlasted the Beaver Lady Beavers, 28-24 Wednesday in non-region girls basketball action. Brittney Blackner had 9 points in defeat for Beaver.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council approved an application to the Community Impact Board for supplemental funding to construct the new fire station in the city and awarded the apparent low bidder. At the city council meeting Tuesday night, City Manager Mike Langston presented to the council an additional $225,000 needed to construct the $2-million facility. He said the project was bid in October but all bids came in too high to complete the project. The City Council rejected all bids at that time and then authorized the re-bidding process. Out of a dozen bidders, the City Council approved Busk, Inc. of Richfield as the apparent low bidder on the project at a cost of $1,877,000. Langston said grants and loans will cover the remaining costs of the project. City leaders will be asking the CIB for the supplemental funding at the next meeting.

(SPRINGDALE) – Officials at Zion National Park have reduced or ended some services due to the decrease in winter visits. Park Superintendent Jock Whitworth said December signals a quieter time in the park and many services need to be cut or end and will pick up in the spring. He said the voluntary shuttle service throughout scenic sites at the Park have been shut down and will resume in April. Operating hours will also be reduced throughout the winter months. Whitworth said even with reduced services at the Park, it gives visitors an opportunity for quiet solitude.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – A majority of Senate Democrats today voted down an amendment to balance the federal budget. Sen. Mike Lee said 47 Republicans voted for Senate Joint Resolution 10 and 20 Democrats voted for their version of the BBA, in SJR24. Lee said it was no surprise that getting the requisite two-thirds on either amendment was a tough hill to climb, he was shocked that more than 60% of the Democrat caucus could not support either version. He said it sends a strong signal to Americans that Democrats in the Senate do not view Congress’s out-of-control spending to be a problem. Lee said economists and experts from both sides of the aisle indicate that the country is heading towards a fiscal meltdown but Democrats don’t want to do anything about it.

(ANNABELLA) – An Annabella woman and her children escaped unharmed from their home Tuesday afternoon after discovering smoke that filled their home. A Sevier County Sheriff’s report said that Holly Langston woke from a nap at about 4:15pm to find her house full of smoke. Sheriff’s deputies said that Langston was able to grab her kids and get out of the house. Fire crews found a laundry basket had been placed on a heater vent in the basement of the home, located at 613 East 200 North in Annabella and began melting, causing smoke to come from the plastic. No damage was done to the home.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Tuesday, three Utah state agencies sent letters to the Utah Highway Patrol Association, requesting all memorial crosses on public lands to be removed.

The action by the Utah Highway Patrol and the state departments of transportation and administrative services follow an October 31 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to not hear the state’s appeal of a lower court decision banning the prominent roadside memorials which have been traditionally been found along numerous Utah roadways.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and the Utah Highway Patrol Association had requested a discretionary review of a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals decision that held that crosses on state property violate the separation of church and state.

In November, the UHPA began making changes to the crosses, removing the highway patrol logo from the 14 crosses statewide and adding notes, stating they are private memorials and bereft of any religious endorsement.

Of the 14 crosses, 10 of them are located on state land.

(CEDAR CITY)-The St. George Spectrum reports thousands of migrating birds crashed throughout the southern Utah region Monday evening, resulting in a marathon rescue and collection effort which was still ongoing through late Tuesday.

Teresa Griffin, the wildlife manager for the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources’ southern region, said all employees are driving around picking them up and numerous residents who have retrieved them have dropped them off at the office.

Wildlife officials confirmed thousands of grebes, an aquatic bird species similar to ducks, were presumably migrating to Mexico and possibly mistook the parking lot at the Cedar City Wal-Mart and other locations, as bodies of water when they crashed.

Through Tuesday, thousands of the birds had been killed, while officials said they began collecting survivors around midnight Tuesday and had rescued 2,000 by that evening.

The surviving birds were released in unfrozen bodies of water in Washington County, primarily at Stratton Pond near Hurricane.

Anyone who finds any remaining grebes are urged to call the DWR office in Cedar City at 865-6100 or drop the birds off at the office at 1470 N. Airport Road in Cedar City.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Earlier this month, .xxx domains, which are often associated with pornographic Web sites, became available to the public and Utah universities swiftly acted to ensure their reputations could be safeguarded.

Along with numerous other institutions of higher education nationwide, Brigham Young University and Utah State University purchased all domains which could possibly be associated with the universities.

For instance, BYU purchased byu.xxx and brighamyounguniversity.xxx and USU purchased usu.xxx, utahstate.xxx and utahstateuniversity.xxx.

BYU spokesman Michael Smart called this a common practice for BYU and other organizations while the university followed the same procedure with Twitter and Google+.

While USU considers their $600 investment wise, things are not so cut and dry at the University of Utah as university spokesman Remi Barron said since the Salt Lake City-based flagship university for Utah operates with taxpayer money, there is a need to be diligent with how the funds are used.

Barron clarified by saying anytime money is spent, there needs to be a good reason.

While as of Tuesday, uofu.xxx and utahutes.xxx, had been purchased, Barron said he did not believe the university had purchased the domain names and declined to mention whether the matter had merited any consideration.

At Weber State University, spokesman John Kowalewski said the issue is worthy of discussion at the Ogden-based campus, but officials have not yet had the opportunity to discuss it in depth.

However, he did assert the matter will be discussed later this week.

In Cedar City, Southern Utah University officials were unaware of whether the university had purchased .xxxdomain names related to the terms “SUU” or “T-Birds,” but as of Tuesday, suu.xxx, had been purchased, although “southernutah.xxx,” was still available.

At Orem, Utah Valley University officials had not yet purchased uvu.xxx and utahvalley.xxx domain names and UVU officials could not be reached for comment.

(PRICE) – Carbon County sheriff’s officials are waiting for autopsy results regarding a badly decomposed male body found in a manhole on Monday. Officials are currently exploring whether the body of the man is that of a missing Price resident. Sheriff James Cordova said a 28-year old man was reported missing sometime between the end of October and the beginning of November. Cordova said part of the investigation is centered around how the body got into the manhole, if someone put him there and why. He said he could not discuss in what position the body was found. Cordova said any unattended death is treated by the sheriff’s office as a homicide.

(MORGAN)-Former Morgan High School drill team instructor Josie Foster, who had been on the job for less than four months, has pleaded guilty to drug possession, KSL-TV in Salt Lake City confirmed.

Last week, the 34-year-old Foster accepted a plea in abeyance, originally pleading guilty to burglary, a second-degree felony, and possession of a controlled substance, which was amended from a second to third-degree felony.

In exchange for her guilty pleas, two counts of theft were dismissed and she dodged prison time, instead being sentenced to 18 months probation.

To assist Foster in qualifying for a drug rehabilitation program, attorneys agreed to change her burglary charge to a second count of possession of a controlled substance.

Foster was also instructed to complete the Weber County drug diversion program.

Charges against her emerged when she was accused of breaking into homes and stealing prescription drugs while she was convicted when the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office detective determined that all victims had a daughter who performed on the drill team.

Morgan County Attorney Jan Farris said Foster’s most common method in the robberies was driving to a drill team member’s home, parking the car outside and calling to see if the family in question was home.

If the response was “No,” she entered homes, and if the answer was “Yes,” she just claimed to be doing measurements for drill team members.

Farris said Foster’s methodology was not random but she sought occasion for family members of those on the drill team who had recently undergone surgery and needed prescription pills to recover.

Foster, who was first hired August 8, had been on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation while the Morgan School District officially fired her after entering her guilty pleas December 8.

Additionally, she was arrested on November 29 for investigation of two counts of burglary and two counts of theft.

As part of the plea agreement, Foster submitted a list of names of victims in exchange for prosecutors agreeing not to file any new charges.

The list consisted of 10 names, including those of family members of four or five drill team members, Farris confirmed.

Farris says this case has been among the most polarizing in the community recently as many rumors have been spread concerning what occurred.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council held a public hearing Tuesday night concerning the establishment of tattoo businesses in the downtown zoning district. Several residents in attendance at the hearing commented in favor of changing the ordinance to allow a tattoo business in the downtown area, including Ted Slaymaker, who wants to occupy vacant office space. Currently, the city ordinance does not allow tattoo businesses downtown and recently, the City Planning Commission voted 4-0 against allowing such businesses in the downtown area. Councilmembers decided to wait before voting on changing the ordinance to have sufficient time to gain input from downtown business leaders.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Megan Bean led the way with 22 points as the Richfield Lady Wildcats pounded the Juab Lady Wasps, 52-33 Tuesday in non-region girls basketball action. Kobe Farrer had 12 points in the loss for Juab.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Taylor Gordon keyed a balanced scoring attack with 13 points and the North Sanpete Lady Hawks waxed the Manti Lady Templars, 53-36 in non-region girls basketball action Tuesday. Mandee Christensen led all scorers with 19 points in the loss for Manti.

MONROE, Utah (AP)-Shelby Sorenson had 9 points and the South Sevier Lady Rams got past the North Sevier Lady Wolves, 37-25 Tuesday in non-region girls basketball action. Bailey Sorenson had 9 points in defeat for North Sevier.

(RICHFIELD) – Sevier County Commissioners approved a new bike path extension contract at their bi-monthly meeting on Monday. The new bike path will extend from Elsinore to SR-118 at the Airport Road in Richfield and will be funded by a $625,000 grant, provided through a federal aid agreement with UDOT, along with a matching amount of $175,000 from Sevier County, for a total of $800,000 in construction costs. Commissioners also approved a BMX Lease Agreement for an event to be held on property located in the northwest quadrant in Richfield. A Memorandum of Agreement was also signed for County Lobbyist, Robert K. Weidner, who represents the county on public land uses at the federal level. Weidner will be paid $15,000 by the county as part of his state-wide salary for his lobbying efforts.

(Ephraim) Snow College officials are hoping to offer several new programs to students at the Richfield Campus, starting as early as next fall. According to communications director Greg Dart, the school has received approval to implement a degree program for National Resource Technicians. Dart commented that the program is based on needs within our area. According to the Department of Workforce Services, there are on average forty jobs offered per year, in our area, that would incorporate a degree in National Resources. The school has been making a push to bring programs that will allow students to remain in the area after graduation and become a part of the local workforce. According to Dart, the program will be two years with an option to transfer and continue later on. Other programs will also be added including Industrial Technology. The school is also working towards approval of a four year music program at the Ephraim Campus. The proposal still has to be approved by the board of regents.

(PROVO)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports Provo police say what appears to have been a routine vehicle burglary arrest ended up with the recovery of more than 100 stolen items from nearly 40 individuals.

Monday, Provo Police Sergeant Mathew J. Siufanua stated the stolen property recovery was the result of an investigation which commenced last Wednesday after officers responded to a reported vehicle break-in.

At the time, the thefts only involved several credit cards that had been left in the victim’s car.

Later, the thieves began using the cards at various Utah County businesses while a security camera at one of the locations yielded images of two suspects, a 43-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman who were tracked to the M-Star Motel at 1380 S. University Avenue in Provo.

The man, who has an extensive criminal history, was arrested inside a parked car and the female suspect was arrested shortly thereafter, Siufanua said.

A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up burglary tools, methamphetamine and more than 100 items reported as previously stolen from 37 different victims, Siufanua revealed.

The male suspect remained detained in Utah County Jail Tuesday, booked on suspicions ranging from possession of stolen property and vehicle burglary to illegal drug possession.

The female suspect was booked on suspicion of forgery and the fraudulent use of a credit card.

(BALTIMORE)-The Associated Press reports Occupy Baltimore protesters demonstrators who spent 10 weeks protesting economic disparity were peacefully removed from a downtown plaza near the Inner Harbor tourist district during a Tuesday pre-dawn raid.

While in full riot gear, Baltimore police moved into McKeldin Square around 3:30 a.m. EST to remove the protesters who had been camped out on site since October 4.

City police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said there was no resistance from people staying at the site.

Guglielmi stated the whole event was well-orchestrated and this speaks to the relationship with Occupy.

A spokesman for Baltimore mayor Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake, Ryan O’Doherty, said 23 people were taken to a city shelter and that no arrests were made.

City officials recently denied Occupy Baltmore’s request for a permit to continue in their protest in the plaza and cut off their power supply.

Early Tuesday, Rawlings-Blake issued a statement in which she said the city is committed to protecting individuals’ rights to protest but the city’s public parks and green areas should not be treated as a permanent campground.

(PRICE) – Investigators suspect foul play was involved in the death of a man whose body was found Monday in a manhole near Price. According to Carbon County Sheriff James Cordova, crews found the man’s body about 10:30am, while doing a routine check of the sewer system near the interchange of U.S. Highway 6 and the highway business route east of Price. Cordova said there were obvious signs of trauma on the body and the position the body was in that raised suspicion of foul play. The man was carrying no documents and due to the cold temperatures, investigators cannot immediately estimate how long the body may have been in the sewer system. Cordova said the man’s body had begun to decompose. An autopsy is pending.

(BOUNTIFUL)-Monday, Utah Governor Gary Herbert met with Bountiful High School students and gave them some tips on how to spend $12.9 billion wisely.

Herbert spoke with financial literacy students and used the event as a platform to reveal his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which commences next July, and spoke concerning financial education as well as budgeting principles.

Herbert asserted his budget would boost public education spending by $111 million, which is sufficient to cover the cost of more students as well as expanding all-day kindergarten programs and other early intervention programs, add testing and start new charter schools.

Higher education would receive an additional $23 million for a variety of programs, largely targeted at meeting the governor’s goal of increasing the number of Utahns who earn post-secondary degrees.

Herbert’s designs of creating 100,000 jobs by the middle of 2013 is bolstered with $20.4 million for economic development initiatives, $11.6 million to provide incentives for job creation and $6 million for tourism marketing.

Additionally, Herbert recommends a $26.4 million decrease in unemployment insurance rates while additional funds have been allocated into the governor’s budget to hire six new Utah Highway Patrol troopers, create a parole violator center to free up more prison space and cover increased Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance program costs, among other things.

University of Utah political science professor Matthew Burbank has said the governor is clearly attempting to avoid a confrontation with fellow Republicans over the budget in an election year.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday night concerning amending the Zoning Code to allow tattoo establishments in the downtown business zone. The public is invited to attend the hearing and comment on the change at about 7pm Tuesday. Other items on the agenda include a discussion on an application to the CIB for supplemental funding for the new fire station in Richfield and to consider the apparent low bidder. The City Council will also discuss an amended agreement with the Central Utah Food Sharing program for use of their building and to review pasture leases.

(RICHFIELD) – Over 120 kids from three South-Central Utah counties enjoyed the annual “Shop-With-A-Cop” program over the weekend in Richfield. Sevier County Sheriff Nate Curtis said the children met with law enforcement officials for breakfast at the Fairgrounds to begin the day with “Ronald McDonald.” Curtis said the kids then climbed into police cruisers and vans to travel to Walmart in Richfield for the shopping spree. He said the annual event is a blessing to underprivileged children in Sevier, Wayne and Piute Counties who come from adverse backgrounds.

EPHRAIM, Utah (AP)-Ex-Snow star Casey Cooke posted 26 points and former Panguitch High standout Halie Sawyer amassed 23 points and 13 rebounds as the Utah All-Stars bested the Snow Lady Badgers, 82-75 Saturday in non-conference women’s college basketball action at the Activity Center.

Katy Cooke added 10 points and 11 assists for the All-Stars while Erica Martinez had 21 points in the loss for Snow.

The Lady Badgers fell to 6-5 on the season with the loss and are next in action at the Pima Tournament at Tucson, Ariz. December 28 when they will face Central Arizona College.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Kameron King had 13 points and the Canyon View Falcons stymied the Beaver Beavers, 60-43 Friday in non-region boys basketball action. Dallon Blackner’s 15 points led the way in defeat for Beaver.

MORGAN, Utah (AP)-Jake Miles amassed 32 points and the Morgan Trojans got past the Delta Rabbits, 74-68 in non-region boys basketball action Friday. Colin Christensen posted 26 points in the loss for Delta.

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)-Braden Harris stepped up with 13 points and the Gunnison Bulldogs overpowered the Grand Red Devils, 43-26 Friday in non-region boys basketball action.

HURRICANE, Utah (AP)-Weston Yardley had 13 points and the Hurricane Tigers bludgeoned the Juab Wasps, 48-30 in non-region boys basketball action Friday. Curtis Orme paced the Wasps with 12 points in defeat.

CASTLE DALE, Utah (AP)-Dallon Cologie led all scorers with 20 points as the Emery Spartans surged past the Millard Eagles, 68-59 Friday in non-region boys basketball action. Jesse Rhodes had 19 points in the loss for Millard.

MANTI, Utah (AP)-Race Parsons posted 43 points as the South Sevier Rams outgunned the Manti Templars, 79-67 Friday in non-region boys basketball action. Quinn Nielsen had 20 points for the Templars in defeat.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Damjam Sredanovic led the way with 17 points as the Wasatch Academy Tigers bested the North Sanpete Hawks, 65-58 in non-region boys basketball action Friday. Rhett Bird had 16 points in the loss for the Hawks.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Dylan Lindsay had 15 points as the Altamont Longhorns surged past the Escalante Moquis, 44-35 Friday at the Sevier Valley Center. Kayson Durfey had 12 points in the loss for Escalante.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Colby Spencer had 11 points and the Valley Buffaloes edged the Tabiona Tigers, 29-28 at the Sevier Valley Center Friday.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Zach Paige had 21 points as the Intermountain Christian Lions held off the Wayne Badgers, 40-39 Friday at the Sevier Valley Center. Ty Rees paced the Badgers with 17 points in defeat.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Trevon Spencer keyed a balanced scoring attack with 12 points and the Duchesne Eagles snuck past the Panguitch Bobcats, 53-49 at the Sevier Valley Center Friday. Dalan Bennett’s 16 points led Panguitch in the loss.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Jordan Kemp posted 15 points as the Richfield Wildcats smacked Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s 41-27 Friday at the Richfield Tournament.

JUNCTION, Utah (AP)-Lindsey Phillips had 20 points as the Escalante Lady Moquis edged the Piute Lady Thunderbirds, 62-60 in Region 20 girls basketball action Friday. Kierra Gleave had 32 points in the loss for Piute.

ORDERVILLE, Utah (AP)-Haley Robins amassed 21 points and the Wayne Lady Badgers humbled the Valley Lady Buffaloes, 46-36 Friday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Kyra Milligan stepped up with 16 points in the loss for the Lady Buffs.

MOAB, Utah (AP)-Elizabeth Palmer led the way with 9 points and the Manti Lady Templars clipped the Grand Lady Red Devils, 35-19 in non-region girls basketball action Friday.

BLANDING, Utah (AP)-Jolene Kirk had 12 points and the San Juan Lady Broncos outlasted the Millard Lady Eagles, 38-35 Friday in non-region girls basketball action. Keri Brunson had 13 points in the loss for Millard.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Tara Shipp amassed 19 points and the Cedar Lady Reds got past the Richfield Lady Wildcats, 54-51 in non-region girls basketball action Friday. Sloane Roundy had 20 points for Richfield in the loss.

KANAB, Utah (AP)-Whitni Syrett had 14 points for the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs as they downed the South Sevier Lady Rams, 32-29 Friday at the Cowboy Classic. Hadley Jensen had 9 points in defeat for South Sevier.

KANAB, Utah (AP)-Calli Jackson led all scorers with 23 points and the Kanab Cowgirls shellacked the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs, 66-27 at the Cowboy Classic Friday. Madee Christenson had 8 points for Gunnison in defeat.

(SALT LAKE CITY) – The live-in girlfriend of Utah Jazz player Al Jefferson was arrested Thursday night for domestic violence in the presence of a child. According to Cottonwood Heights police, 38-year old Shirley Lewis was arrested for assault on Jefferson at the couple’s home at about 8:30 Thursday night. Police determined that it was a domestic violence incident and that Lewis was the aggressor. Salt Lake County Jail reports said Lewis was in a verbal argument with Jefferson, when she hit him and bit him on the back during the altercation. Officers said two children, ages 3 and 9, were at home at the time of the incident. Jefferson commented that he received abrasions but the injuries were not serious.

(FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.)-The Associated Press reports the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects a decision on whether to mandate pollution controls for the coal-fired Navajo Generating Station next spring.

Nevertheless, with so many competing interests involved, EPA regional administrator Jared Blumenfeld admits the agency will not satisfy them all, and differences will have to be ironed out in court.

Blumenfeld outlined this convoluted process Thursday which will ultimately determine whether nitrogen oxide emissions from the plant on the Navajo reservation will require further regulations.

The plant serves as an economic engine that ensures power and water demands are met in major metropolises while it also contributes significantly to the economies of local tribes, such as the Navajos and Hopis.

Ultimately, Blumenfeld said what the best strategy is to protect the air around Grand Canyon National Park and other pristine areas.

(BOULDER)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports Thursday the Utah Transportation Commission capitalized upon a money-making opportunity provided by Garfield County, a deal the county hopes to be instrumental in avoiding federal red tape and lead to the paving of Burr Trail switchbacks after 30 years of contention with environmentalists.

Reportedly, Garfield County offered to swap $250,000 in federal funding available to it for a design of Burr Trail switchback improvements for $212,000 in state funding instead, which represents its federal funding to the state for 85 cents on the dollar.

Garfield County Engineer Brian B. Bremner said federal dollars have significantly more requirements for use than state funds and that federal monies granted would require small entities, such as his, to utilize outside consultants to ensure all rules have been complied with.

Utah Department of Transportation director John Njord informed the transportation committee Thursday environmental requirements for the project would be the same with either state or federal funding.

The deal in question would allow Garfield County to design improvements for the switchbacks on the trail, near Boulder, more efficiently and swiftly while the state would receive extra money overall that the commission plans to use to help repair a landslide which has closed S.R. 14, between Cedar City and Orderville, for months.

Bremner said having completed plans on the shelf would allow Garfield County to swiftly move should a funding source emerge while confirming the county is also searching for a wide range of options to upgrade the switchbacks owned by the county within a portion of Capitol Reef National Park.

Bremner noted the National Park Service is currently hesitant to recommend paving while presently 50 miles of the Burr Trail have been paved but 16 miles remain unscathed.

The road runs from Boulder to S.R. 276 near Bullfrog.

Bremner said he figured environmental groups may perhaps sue again should the county attempt to move to actual construction at the switchbacks.

Stephen Bloch, an attorney for environmentalist group The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance said his group and others will continue to engage in any proposals to give the Burr Trail and other backcountry roads in the area and will review whatever comes in to assist them in their goal.

(BLANDING)-ABC4 in Salt Lake City reports the Utah Army National Guard will rename its Blanding armory to commemorate a soldier killed in Afghanistan.

Friday, the facility will be renamed as the James E. Thode Armory during a special ceremony.

Thode, a resident of Kirtland, N.M., was a member of the 118th Engineer Company, 1457th Engineer Battalion while he was killed December 2, 2010 from injuries incurred when his unit was attacked by insurgents via an improvised explosive device.

The 45-year-old Thode was first enlisted in the military in 1984 and joined the Utah National Guard as a combat engineer in 2002 and deployed with his unit to Iraq in 2003.

Guard officials say the Blanding armory will be named in his honor because it is the home of the unit he belonged to when killed in action.

(CEDAR CITY) – A Cedar City man who pleaded guilty in the death of his young son has been sentenced to prison. Fifth District Court records said that 27-year old Andy Gorecki was ordered to serve one to 15 years behind bars for one count of child abuse homicide, a second degree felony. He was also ordered to pay over $19,000 in fines but the bulk of that was suspended, leaving the balance due at $1,000. Police said Gorecki’s son, Tayshaun, was found not breathing by his grandmother at Gorecki’s residence in Cedar City. Medical examiners later concluded the child suffered severe internal injuries which were consistent with shaken baby syndrome. Gorecki pleaded guilty in September to the charges.

(CHEYENNE, Wyo.)-The Associated Press reports a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency draft finding it may have detected groundwater pollution resulting from a controversial technique playing a significant role in modern oil and gas development has not emerged as “settled science.”

Political factions have not been placated either, especially since hydraulic fracturing has unleashed significant new oil and gas reserves and creating economic opportunities that may not otherwise exist.

Environmentalists have cautioned against fracking in Pennsylvania, New York State and other places where new gas drilling has emerged while they applauded Thursday’s statement concerning pollution in central Wyoming as being “a long time coming.”

The EPA emphasized their announcement that it had found chemicals likely associated with gas production practices, such as fracking, which was the first step in its review of its own science while the draft report has ushered in a 45-day comment period and a 30-day-per review process by independent scientists.

Hydraulic fracturing is aimed at improving the productivity of oil and gas wells while it involves pressurized water, sand and chemicals underground to open fissures and improve the flow of oil or gas to the surface.

Residents in Pavilion, Wyo., have long said their drinking water has been contaminated by chemicals which in turn has created health problems for residents.

In 2010, health officials recommended they not drink their water and ventilate their bathrooms while showering.

Meanwhile industry officials pointed out the EPA announcement did not focus upon those domestic water wells, but rather two wells drilled significantly deeper into the aquifer to specifically test for pollution.

An announced $45 million sale of the Pavilion field to Midland, Texas-based Legacy Reserves fell through last month amid concerns shared by current owner, Encana of Calgary, Alberta about the EPA investigation.

The EPA, which has studied the groundwater at Pavilion for more than two years, also accentuated that these preliminary findings are specific to the Pavilion area and not necessarily anywhere else on U.S. soil.

The EPA’s drafted report and the upcoming critiques of it come as states and the federal government continue to ponder whether fracking should be regulated and, if so, how the process should be done.

In 2010, Wyoming became one of the first states requiring oil and gas companies to publicly disclose the chemicals used in fracking.

In Colorado, regulators are considering the idea as well.

(BLACKSBURG, Va.)-The Associated Press reports Virginia state authorities covering the slaying incident at the Blacksburg, Va.-based Virginia Tech campus believe the gunman who killed a campus policeman had no accomplices and changed clothes after fleeing the scene.

Afterward, they stated, he killed himself with his handgun when another officer spotted him.

Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said investigators have not found anything connecting the gunman and the slain officer, Deriek W. Crouse, who was shot in his car in a campus parking lot after pulling over a motorist for a traffic stop.

Geller said his motive remained a mystery Friday.

Various news outlets, such as ABC News, have reported the suspect was not a Virginia Tech student but Geller said investigators were confident they know the gunman’s identity although they declined to say anything concerning his origin until the state medical examiner confirms it and his next of kin are notified.

This shooting compelled school officials to place the campus on lockdown as police and SWAT team units scoured the premises.

Crouse was an Army veteran and the married father of five children and stepchildren who joined the Virginia Tech police force in October 2007.

Previously, he had worked at a jail and for the Montgomery County (Va.) Sheriff’s department.

The university, which has an enrollment of 28,650 students, confirmed its counseling center would be open all day Friday for students.

(CEDAR CITY)-KCSG-TV in St. George reports members of the Utah National Guard’s 222nd Field Artillery Batallion returned home for the holidays in droves Thursday with 140 representatives flying into the Cedar City Airport and 40 others touching down at Salt Lake City International Airport.

Roughly 475 members of the Triple Deuce deployed in June but have arrived in Utah earlier than anticipated because of orders emanating from the White House to have all U.S. troops out of Iraq by the end of 2011.

Some members of the faction made it home in time for Thanksgiving several weeks ago while all are expected to return to Utah by Christmas, stated Guard spokesman, Major Bruce Roberts.

Roberts stated the battalion has been versatile in their responsibilities on Iraqi soil, except for, incidentally, their primary role as artillery soldiers.

(RICHFIELD) – A scoping meeting concerning evaluations of the greater sage-grouse conservation measures will be held in Richfield in January. Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service officials have announced initial steps in a formal planning process to protect the sage grouse in land use plans across ten Western states, including Utah. Wildlife officials say they want to make a decision by 2015 as to whether or not to include the sage grouse on the Endangered Species List. A meeting on the proposal will be held in Richfield on Jan. 30 and other scoping meetings will be held in Price, Cedar City and Kanab.

(SALINA) – A Salina woman and her four children were injured after a vehicle crashed into their car at an intersection in Salina this morning. Police Chief Greg Harwood said 31-year old Teri Gates was traveling westbound in a 1995 Saturn, when she was struck at the intersection at 200 East 100 North in Salina at about 8am. The police report said 31-year old Staley Sorenson was driving a 2003 Ford pickup and didn’t see Gate’s vehicle, due to frost on his windshield. Salina EMT’s responded and treated Gates and her four children for bumps and bruises and Sorenson was cited for failure to yield and obstructed windshield.

(OKLAHOMA CITY)-The Associated Press reports a Southwest Airlines flight from St. Louis to Phoenix was diverted to Oklahoma City after the pilot reported fumes inside the aircraft’s cockpit.

Oklahoma City-based Will Rogers World Airport spokeswoman Karen Carney says none of the 45 people on board were injured in the Thursday morning incident.

Carney stated Flight 2805 of the Dallas-based airline was inspected by airline officials who deemed the plane to be safe and cleared it for its ensuing flight to Phoenix.

Carney said the aircraft left Oklahoma City around 10:30 a.m. CST Thursday and that officials did not determine the cause of the fumes.

Southwest did not immediately return phone calls to the AP seeking comment.

(CEDAR CITY)-This past Tuesday, Iron County Sheriff’s Office deputies discovered 12 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop and arrested the driver, 42-year-old Garland Christopher Vantine of Crested Butte, Colo.

Vantine was charged with possession of marijuana and the intent to distribute it while K-9 officer “Duke,” was instrumental in the discovery.

Iron County Sheriff’s Office deputy Wade Lee performed the arrest after stopping Vantine for failing to signal as he was changing lanes.

Upon approaching the vehicle, Lee detected a strong odor, which proved to be burning marijuana, and confronted Vantine.

Vantine indicated there was only a small portion of marijuana in the vehicle after which Lee called upon fellow deputy Jeff Malcom and Duke for assistance.

Additionally, Vantine was also carrying $1,000 in cash and was subsequently booked into the Iron County Jail with his bail set at $50,000.

(KANAB) – The comment period for a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on a coal tract near Alton has been extended through January. The Bureau of Land Management Kanab Field Office has announced the EIS on the Alton Coal Tract application has been extended from Jan. 6-27. Alton Coal developers have been mining on private land and want to expand their operations to nearly 3600 acres on federal lands. The comment period extension will allow the public to review additional details, including the removal of 394 acres and 6.8 million tons of Federal coal in the tract to minimize impacts in close proximity to the town of Alton and to preserve seasonal greater sage-grouse habitat.

(PAYSON) – A Vernal man accused in the murder of a BYU professor is no longer seeking to withdraw his guilty plea. In Fourth District Court, 24-year old Benjamin Rettig ended his legal fight on Tuesday. He is now scheduled to be sentenced next Tuesday. According to court documents, Rettig pleaded guilty in June to aggravated murder and aggravated kidnapping in connection with the 2009 slaying of Kay Mortenson at his Payson home. As part of his plea agreement, Rettig is to be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole. Prosecutors say Rettig will testify against Martin Bond if the case goes to trial. Court papers state that both Rettig and Bond broke into Mortensen’s home and during the robbery, Rettig kept a gun pointed at Mortensen while Bond slashed his throat. Bond faces the death penalty for the murder.

(ST. GEORGE) – Washington County businesses will soon be required to use the federal E-Verify system to check the legal status of new workers or face penalties. County Commissioner Dennis Drake said the ordinance will go into effect Dec. 17 and businesses that fail to comply, will risk temporary suspension of their business license or a complete revocation. Drake said employers must check the status of new hires within three business days from when the worker is hired. He said the intent of the ordinance is to protect employers and to stimulate employment of people legally entitled to work in the United States.

PLAIN CITY, Utah (AP)-Race Parsons amassed 21 points and eight boards and Kaden King added 19 more points as the South Sevier Rams pummeled the Fremont Silverwolves, 65-50 Tuesday in non-region boys basketball action.

NEPHI, Utah (AP)-Ty Bartholomew posted 23 points and the Gunnison Bulldogs overpowered the Juab Wasps, 63-52 in non-region boys basketball action Tuesday. Brayden Kaae had 15 points in the loss for Juab.

GRANTSVILLE, Utah (AP)-Brady Aste had 19 points and Jamen Miller stepped up with 18 more as the Manti Templars shellacked the Grantsville Cowboys, 57-31 Tuesday in non-region boys basketball action. Dalen Erickson had 17 points in the loss for the Cowboys.

MONROE, Utah (AP)-Hattie Snyder had 11 points and the Beaver Lady Beavers stymied the South Sevier Lady Rams, 34-26 in non-region girls basketball action Tuesday. Shantae Dustin had seven points in the loss for the Lady Rams.

DELTA, Utah (AP)-Alyssa Johnson and Kennedy Springer had 11 points apiece as the Delta Lady Rabbits stonewalled the Canyon View Lady Falcons, 38-24 Tuesday in non-region girls basketball action at the Palladium.

KANAB, Utah (AP)-Kaytee Glover amassed 30 points and six assists while Calli Jackson had 29 points and 17 boards as the Kanab Cowgirls crushed the Hurricane Lady Tigers, 71-48 in non-region girls basketball action Tuesday.

DRAPER, Utah (AP)-Dominique Mills had 12 points and 18 rebounds as the Juan Diego Lady Soaring Eagle gashed the Juab Lady Wasps, 57-39 Tuesday in non-region girls basketball action. Tessa Bradford had 14 points in defeat for Juab.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)-Whitney Coleman keyed a balanced scoring attack with 13 points and the Wayne Lady Badgers mauled the Manti Lady Templars, 57-36 in non-region girls basketball action Tuesday. Jessica Lund had eight points in defeat for Manti.

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)-Mariah Dotson had 16 points and the Milford Lady Tigers got past the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs, 38-32 Tuesday in non-region girls basketball action.

HEBER CITY, Utah (AP)-Arylynn Robinson’s 18 points led the way as the Wasatch Lady Wasps steamrolled the North Sanpete Lady Hawks, 59-37 in non-region girls basketball action Tuesday. Keisha Jorgensen had 10 points in the loss for North Sanpete.

PRICE, Utah (AP)-McKelle Lajeunesse had 10 points and the Richfield Lady Wildcats outlasted the Carbon Lady Dinos, 44-40 Tuesday in non-region girls basketball action.

(RICHFIELD) – The Richfield City Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing Wednesday night to gain input on a proposal to amend the water share requirement of the Annexation Policy of the General Plan for the city. Planning members say the commission will discuss the policy and possibly make a motion to pass the measure at the meeting. The public is invited to attend the hearing and offer comment. The meeting will be held Wednesday at 7pm at the Richfield City Council Chambers.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Mike Lee may sue the Federal Election Commission for denying his request to form a SuperPAC. In a statement released today, Lee said he believes his constitutional rights of freedom of speech may have been violated by the FEC. Lee cited a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court case where a conservative group, called Citizens United, produced a 90-minute movie attacking Hillary Clinton, who was running for president. The FEC said showing the movie broke campaign finance laws but the High Court said a citizen not affiliated with a campaign, can say or spend whatever he wants. Lee said the same should apply to politicians who have the right to form SuperPAC’s, as long as they don’t spend the money on their own campaigns.

(AURORA) – A Pleasant Grove man escaped injury after crashing into a power pole on SR-24 at the Clay Plant near Aurora Saturday morning. A Sevier County Sheriff’s report said that 39-year old Robert Bigelow was traveling southbound when he lost control of his vehicle on the icy road and went through a delineator post, hitting a power pole. The report said the impact knocked out power to local residents at about 6:30am. Deputies said Bigelow was traveling about 50 miles-per-hour when he hit the pole. He was not injured in the accident and Rocky Mountain Power crews restored power after replacing the pole.

SANDY, Utah (AP)-Breon Allen ran for 134 yards and three scores on only 14 carries, earning offensive MVP awards at the Top of the Mountains Bowl as the Snow Badgers ended the season on a high note with a 36-9 rout of WSFL rival Eastern Arizona.

Alamoti Vaenuku added a 43-yard scoring run for Snow while Jon Hess nailed a 32-yard field goal in the blowout victory for the Badgers.

Snow ends the season with a record of 9-3.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Utah health professionals have joined an access coalition in opposition to the merger of national pharmaceutical companies that may increase prescription costs and limit choice. Utah Representative Evan Vickers of Cedar City, who owns two local pharmacies, says even though Express Scripts and Medco say their merger won’t hurt local pharmacies, past precedent says otherwise. Vickers is joined by other health professionals in the state and the group, Preserve Community Pharmacy Access Now Coalition, to fight against the merger. The group met with Sen. Mike Lee in Washington D.C. Thursday to ask the senator for help in asking the federal government to deny the merger. Vickers said Lee is a good attorney who looks deeply into issues that affect small business operations.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – All 100 U.S. Senators voted last night in favor of an amendment to sanction the Central Bank of Iran. Sen. Mike Lee co-sponsored S.A. 1414 to prohibit foreign financial institutions that conduct transactions with the Central Bank of Iran, from opening or maintaining correspondent bank accounts in the Unite States. Lee said the bill is in response to the illicit activities of the Government of Iran, including its pursuit of nuclear weapons, support for international terrorism and efforts to deceive responsible financial institutions and evade sanctions.

NEW YORK (AP)-Per the Twitter accounts of New York Times beat writer Howard Beck and ESPN.com NBA writer Marc Stein, the NBA will announce its amended schedule for the 2011-12 NBA season Tuesday evening at 5:00 p.m. MST.

It is not yet certain whether Mid-Utah Radio stations, KMTI-AM 650 and KSVC-AM 980 will pick up the Utah Jazz this season but please remember we will have all the information available for you on midutahradio.com from Tuesday on.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Megan Bean posted 18 points and nine boards and the Richfield Lady Wildcats edged the Delta Lady Rabbits, 44-43 Thursday in non-region girls basketball action. TaNeil Clayton had 10 points in the loss for Delta.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)-Macail Wood led all scorers with 13 points and the Beaver Lady Beavers downed the Hurricane Lady Tigers, 47-38 in non-region girls basketball action Thursday.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Madison Alger and Tara Shipp had 12 points apiece and the Cedar Lady Reds edged the Kanab Cowgirls, 51-48 Thursday in non-region girls basketball action. Calli Jackson and Kaytee Glover each had 17 points to pace Kanab in the loss.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)-Keri Brunson posted 13 points and Jaisha Wilcox stepped up with 12 more as the Millard Lady Eagles smacked the North Sevier Lady Wolves, 55-36 in non-region girls basketball action Thursday. Kelsey Barney’s 17 points led the way for North Sevier in defeat.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) – Sen. Mike Lee is co-sponsoring legislation that will create 20,000 American jobs. The North American Energy Security Act would authorize the construction of the Keystone X-L pipeline. Lee said the pipeline will be the next step in reducing dependence on oil imported from nations that are unstable, undemocratic and often outright hostile to the United States. He said it’s more preferable to buy from our neighbors to the north. Lee commented that the pipeline is a job-creating project that’s truly “shovel-ready.”

(LAVERKIN) – Three adults escaped their LaVerkin home after a fast-moving fire destroyed the structure early this morning. Hurricane Fire and Rescue Chief Tom Kuhlmann said the blaze was reported about 2:20am at 60 East 460 North. Crews arrived at the residence to find the manufactured home and four vehicles in the garage fully engulfed in flames. The fire department said the fire was fanned by 25-mile-per-hour winds and completely destroyed the buildings. Rocky Mountain Power crews also arrived at the scene to restore power after a brief cut-off during the fire. The American Red Cross was on hand to help with the displaced occupants of the home. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(ST. GEORGE) – A St. George businessman is using the Internet to fight fraud charges against him by the Federal Trade Commission. In a news article, one-time multimillionaire, Jeremy Johnson, went on the offensive against what he sees as “dirty deeds by big government.” On the website evilftc.com, Johnson targets FTC attorneys in their investigation of his company, iWorks, for luring Internet consumers into “trial” memberships for bogus government grants and moneymaking schemes and then repeatedly charging fees on their credit cards for programs consumers didn’t sign up for. The FTC claims Johnson pocketed more than $275 million on the transactions. Johnson says the allegations are false and has documentation proving that he and his partners are innocent of the charges. On Sunday, Johnson was arrested on an outstanding warrant for allegedly writing more than $100,000 in bad checks at a Las Vegas casino.

(ST. GEORGE) – The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a female prison inmate at the Purgatory Correctional Facility. Sheriff Chief Deputy Jake Schultz reported that 41-year old Natalie Hansen of Bluffdale was booked into the prison early Saturday morning and died the next afternoon. Prison officials are treating the case as a possible suicide. Schultz said Hansen’s cellmate had been sleeping and alerted prison guards when Hansen was unresponsive and not breathing. EMT’s eventually found a pulse but Hansen was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George. Sheriff officials suspect no foul play related to her death and was booked for outstanding warrants of suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia and intoxication. A full investigation continues.