PAYSON, Utah (AP)-Kade Jensen led the way with 22 points and the Payson Lions smacked the North Sanpete Hawks, 63-46 Tuesday in Region 12 boys basketball action. Jake Bailey had 19 points in defeat for North Sanpete.

PAYSON, Utah (AP)-Taylor Gordon had 24 points and the North Sanpete Lady Hawks pummeled the Payson Lady Lions, 51-31 in Region 12 girls basketball action Tuesday.

NEPHI, Utah (AP)-Kobe Farrer posted 18 points and Jessica Barker added 15 more as the Juab Lady Wasps downed the Delta Lady Rabbits, 44-35 Tuesday in Region 12 girls basketball action. Hailee Holt had 11 points in the loss for Delta.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)-Hattie Snyder had 17 points as the Beaver Lady Beavers stymied the Kanab Cowgirls, 49-28 in Region 13 girls basketball action Tuesday. Kaitlyn Glover and Kaytee Glover had six points apiece in defeat for Kanab.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)-Keri Brunson had 18 points and the Millard Lady Eagles stonewalled the Parowan Lady Rams, 61-43 Tuesday in Region 13 girls basketball action. Cheryl Stephenson added 16 more in the win for Millard while Chennin Benson had 17 points in the loss for Parowan.

SALINA, Utah (AP)-Morgan Okerlund stepped up with 16 points and Shaylie Mason added 14 more as the North Sevier Lady Wolves pounded Wasatch Academy, 66-24 in Region 16 girls basketball action Tuesday.

KAMAS, Utah (AP)-Mariah Davis keyed a balanced scoring attack with 12 points and the South Summit Lady Wildcats hammered Manti, 50-32 Tuesday in non-region girls basketball action. Mandee Christenson and Melanie Mitzvotai had 10 points apiece in defeat for the Lady Templars.

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)-Madee Christenson had 18 points and the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs edged the American Leadership Lady Eagles, 57-54 in overtime in Region 16 girls basketball action Tuesday.

(Hurricane) The Utah Department of Agriculture has issued an invitation to farmers’ market vendors and organizers to attend special meetings on Wednesday February 8th. The meetings are for those planning on selling food items at farmers’ markets this year. Organizers and managers are also encouraged to attend to learn about the most recent safety regulations. Regulatory Services Director Richard Clark says the goal is to protect the health of consumers, the economic health of the markets, and the future of the local foods movement. The meetings will be held at the Hurricane Library on Wednesday February 8th at 10:00 AM and again at 6:00 PM.

(ST. GEORGE)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports classes at East Elementary School in St. George were cancelled Monday because of a water main break.

Lyle Cox, the executive director of human resources for the Washington County School District said the break was dangerous to students so the school’s doors were closed.

As of Tuesday, classes were expected to resume.

(SAN ANGELO, Texas)-The bigamy trail involving the former leader of a polygamous sect has been moved from San Angelo, Texas to Midland, Texas as he faces third-degree felony bigamy charges in the Lone Star State.

The 71-year-old Wendell Loy Nielsen, who once served as president of a polygamous sect straddling the Utah-Arizona border will face up to 10 years in prison and be fined $10,000 should he be convicted.

As of January 2011, he was removed by presiding sect leader Warren Jeffs who will be incarcerated for the rest of his life because of crimes against underaged women.

Nielsen’s trial was originally slated for January 24, but Monday, presiding Texas 51st District Judge Barbara Walther ordered the change of venue.

Nielsen is the 11th member of Jeffs’ sect to undergo prosecutions because of warrants emanating out of Schlechler County (Texas) when Texas Rangers raided the sect’s compound in Eldorado, Texas as of April 2008.

Nielsen’s lawyers assert bigamy laws in Texas suppress religious freedoms of residents, as well as spiritual beliefs which transcend the practice of polygamy.

Court records attest charges against Nielsen are Class A misdemeanors instead of third-degree felonies while the designation means less prison time as well as a reduced fine.

(Spring City) Spring city residents are invited to a public hearing regarding a proposed half mile buffer zone around the city. The zone is being required by county officials and has been a point of contention in the past. The zone would hold an R2 designation. The meeting will be held on Thursday February 2nd at the Spring City Hall at 6:00 PM. Final recommendations will be sent to the Sanpete County Planning Commission.

A man was hospitalized Saturday after his truck went 100 feet down an embankment. The Penske rental truck ran off the road 14 miles outside of Helper on U.S. Highway 6 around 5 p.m., according to Department of Public Safety spokesman Joe Dougherty. The truck landed on a set of train tracks.

The truck’s driver, who remained conscious, was transported from the scene by a medical helicopter. Dougherty said it was reported by troopers at the scene that the man had suffered some broken bones.

What caused the man to leave to roadway is currently under investigation.

The southern Utah ski area Eagle Point opened for the season this weekend, a month later than last winter because of a lack of snowfall. Eagle Point is the rebranded ski area once known as Elk Meadows, about 18 miles east of Beaver. It had been shut down for eight years when a New York hedge fund took over operations.

Eagle Point operations manager Lane Tucker says the slopes are covered with 12 to 18 inches of snow.

The clock is ticking toward the highly anticipated opening of Utah’s top retail development. Fewer than 60 days remain until he scheduled March 22 grand opening of City Creek Center, a $1.5 billion downtown project that is expected to revitalize Salt Lake City’s central business district. Upon completion, City Creek will feature approximately 700,000 square feet of shopping and dining space, along with 536 new condominiums or apartments. Among the unique features of the 23-acre development are a 30,000 square foot fully retractable glass roof, a sky bridge over Main Street, and a re-creation of City Creek, the snow fed-stream that once meandered through the city.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Tyler Anderson posted 16 points and the Richfield Wildcats smacked the San Juan Broncos, 56-42 Saturday in Region 15 boys basketball action.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)-Tyce Barney amassed 23 points and nine boards while Dalan Bennett added 22 more as the Panguitch Bobcats pummeled Diamond Ranch, 73-43 in Region 20 boys basketball action Saturday.

TROPIC, Utah (AP)-Braxton Syrett stepped up with 14 points and the Bryce Valley Mustangs edged the Piute Thunderbirds, 50-47 Saturday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Taylor Allen and Ty Jessen had 13 points apiece in the loss for Piute.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)-Colby Spencer had 19 points and Morgan Hoyt added 15 more to lead the Valley Buffaloes to a 63-49 win over Escalante in Region 20 boys basketball action Saturday. Jared Noyes led all scorers with 25 points in defeat for the Moquis.

BLANDING, Utah (AP)-Sloane Roundy led the way with 21 points as the Richfield Lady Wildcats stymied San Juan, 58-41 Saturday in Region 15 girls basketball action.

The Sierra Club delivered more than 210,000 signatures to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) opposing a proposed expansion of a coal strip mine about 10 miles southwest of Bryce Canyon National Park. The BLM is completing an environmental review, the draft for which recommended approving expansion of the Coal Hallow Mine at Alton from private land onto 3,500 acres of federal land. BLM and Alton Coal Company officials have said they don’t expect significant effects to the park. The expansion has the support of Panguitch City as well as Garfield County to mine an ample resource and produce tangible economic benefits for the area.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)-Eddie Dunham led the way with 16 points and the Bryce Valley Mustangs pummeled the Escalante Moquis, 75-45 Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Jared Noyes had 15 points in the loss for Escalante.

JUNCTION, Utah (AP)-Ty Jessen keyed a balanced scoring attack with 15 points and the Piute Thunderbirds doubled up the Milford Tigers, 68-34 in Region 20 boys basketball action Thursday. Taylor Allen, Anthony Hardman and Cash Newby also scored in double figures for Piute in the rout.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)-Dalan Bennett posted 23 points and 11 boards and the Panguitch Bobcats surged past the Wayne Badgers, 60-53 Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Ty Rees had 16 points in the loss for Wayne.

PAROWAN, Utah (AP)-Hattie Snyder had 14 points for the Beaver Lady Beavers as they downed the Parowan Lady Rams, 38-27 in Region 13 girls basketball action Thursday. Chennin Benson had 10 points in defeat for Parowan.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)-Ryley Lyman led the way with 13 points and seven boards as the Enterprise Lady Wolves pounded the Millard Lady Eagles, 53-29 Thursday in Region 13 girls basketball action. Kaela Brunson had 11 points in defeat for Millard.

MONROE, Utah (AP)-Jeridi Price posted 20 points as the Emery Lady Spartans tripped up South Sevier, 60-54 in Region 15 girls basketball action Thursday. Kylee Mackelprang’s 17 points led the Lady Rams in the loss.

COALVILLE, Utah (AP)-Dentry McQueen and Kassidi Evans posted 10 points apiece and the North Summit Lady Braves smacked the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs, 51-30 Thursday in non-region girls basketball action. Sara Brown led all scorers with 11 points in the loss for Gunnison.

DELTA, Utah (AP)-Tana Henrie led the way with 10 points as the Delta Lady Rabbits bested the North Sanpete Lady Hawks, 46-34 in Region 12 girls basketball action Thursday at the Palladium. Taylor Gordon had 10 points in defeat for North Sanpete.

State Health Inspectors recently made surprise visits to school kitchens in the Sevier School District. Business Administrator Patrick Wilson says the inspections went well. According to Wilson, four schools scored 100 percent, four scored 99 percent, two scored 95 percent and one scored 94 percent. Wilson added that the Sevier School District nutritionists do a great job and that the district has spent $19,000 more on fresh produce for students this year as required by the USDA.

(ST. GEORGE)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports a blaze at a downtown St. George apartment complex left three people homeless while repairs are being made to their flame and smoke-damaged units earlier this week.

Public safety dispatchers reported no serious injuries were reported from the fire, which occurred at 11:14 p.m. MST Monday night.

The American Red Cross was providing temporary shelter to affected residents, stated Utah Red Cross spokeswoman Teresa Zundel.

Details of the fire, including a dollar estimate for damages, were not made immediately available and as of late Tuesday, the cause of the blaze was still under investigation.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Utah Governor Gary Herbert is slated to give his annual speech to lawmakers Wednesday evening as part of the proceedings of this session of the Utah Legislature.

It is expected Herbert will focus on the health of the state’s economy as well as the need to fund the state’s education system during the presentation.

Herbert stated continual growth is a priority while he previously set a goal of creating 100,000 new jobs within a span of 1,000 days, saying the creation of these new positions requires more people earn post-secondary degrees, another of Herbert’s priorities.

The speech will be broadcast on both public and commercial television stations in the Salt Lake City market and should be accessible for all state residents.

(PROVO)-While serving as a speaker at Brigham Young University’s weekly forum series Tuesday, evangelical Christian Mark DeMoss called for those who profess a belief in Christ to be civil to their neighbors.

DeMoss, who runs a public relations firm which specializes in Christian organizations, told students Christ’s true disciples, do not waste their time demonizing others, while he cited those who have attacked both Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints GOP candidate Mitt Romney and Democratic incumbent Barack Obama, on this point.

DeMoss, who incidentally serves as an adviser to Romney, informed KSL Radio of Salt Lake City Tuesday he attempted to have lawmakers sign a civility pledge, but only three of the 600 in question signed it.

The Deseret News stated DeMoss commenced his Civility Project in 2009 after becoming disenchanted with how Latter-Day Saints were treated by evangelicals and those who opposed their position on marriage, as Church authorities advocated that it remain legally between one man and one woman.

DeMoss and his project co-founder, Larry Davis, dissolved the project last year.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-As the Utah Legislature continues throughout the week, among the major topics of discussion is the Utah High School Activities Association’s apparent decision to divide football-playing high schools in the state into six classifications rather than the five which currently exist.

Among the decisions for the State Board of Trustees to navigate through is to juggle where schools should be playing along with weighing the impact this would have on urban and rural students alike.

It is expected the board will consider further alignment matters Thursday while the major sticking point at this stage, according to Deseret News reporter Amy Donaldson, is what should be done with non-boundary schools, charter and private schools, such as Diamond Ranch and Pinnacle, which do not have geographic boundaries.

These schools are often derided by the public which follows high school sports and activities in Utah because these schools can potentially recruit students from anywhere in the state.

The major challenge occurs, Donaldson says, when rural schools, such as Delta, face off against charter schools, such as Juan Diego, a matchup which has traditionally occurred often in the 3A playoffs in any given sport, which is serving as a major impetus for the proposed 6A, which would only be used in football.

Some rural school officials have asserted that anecdotal evidence suggests small schools are safer when they compete against student bodies of comparable size although others say they are uncomfortable making such decisions without more raw data to look at.

For more information, please visit www.uhsaa.org.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Kyle Seely posted 15 points and the North Sanpete Hawks got past the Juab Wasps, 45-36 Tuesday in Region 12 boys basketball action. Curtis Orme had 10 points in defeat for Juab.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Kobe Farrer had 25 points and the Juab Lady Wasps bested the North Sanpete Lady Hawks, 50-41 in Region 12 girls basketball action Tuesday. Taylor Gordon had 13 points in the loss for North Sanpete.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)-Keri Brunson posted 15 points and Kaela Brunson added 13 more as the Millard Lady Eagles downed the Beaver Lady Beavers, 46-39 Tuesday in Region 13 girls basketball action. Brittney Blackner had 12 points to pace Beaver in defeat while Hattie Snyder stepped up with 11 more for the Lady Beavers.

DELTA, Utah (AP)-Miranda Averett led the way with 15 points and the Carbon Lady Dinos surged past the Delta Lady Rabbits, 45-36 in Region 12 girls basketball action Tuesday at the Palladium. Kennedy Springer had 19 points in the loss for Delta.

ENTERPRISE, Utah (AP)-Whitney Houston had 9 points and the Kanab Cowgirls edged the Enterprise Lady Wolves, 35-33 Tuesday in Region 13 girls basketball action.

SPANISH FORK, Utah (AP)-McKenna Andersen had 14 points and the American Leadership Lady Eagles humbled the Manti Lady Templars, 41-34 in Region 16 girls basketball action Tuesday. Mandee Christensen had 12 points in the loss for Manti.

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)-BrieAnn Peterson led all scorers with 16 points and the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs pummeled the Wasatch Academy Lady Tigers, 41-8 Tuesday in Region 16 girls basketball action.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)-Morgan Okerlund keyed a balanced scoring attack with 8 points and the North Sevier Lady Wolves smacked the Rowland Hall/St. Mark’s Lady Winged Lions, 44-18 in non-region girls basketball action Tuesday.

TROPIC, Utah (AP)-Sydney Cornforth amassed 18 points as the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs handled Parowan, 40-34 Tuesday in non-region girls basketball action. Chennin Benson’s 13 points paced the Lady Rams in defeat.

JUNCTION, Utah (AP)-Whitni Syrett had 20 points and the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs edged the Piute Lady Thunderbirds, 56-53 Saturday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Shaylee Gleave had 15 points in the loss for Piute.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)-Lindsey Phillips led the way with 25 points as the Escalante Lady Moquis tripped up Valley, 48-45 in Region 20 girls basketball action Saturday. Nicole Roundy had 15 points in defeat for Valley.

MILFORD, Utah (AP)-Mariah Dotson had 13 points as the Milford Lady Tigers downed the Wayne Lady Badgers, 41-34 Saturday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Haley Robins had 14 points in the loss for Wayne.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Friday, the University of Utah named a new president from within its own ranks, the Deseret News reports.

According to the report, the Utah State Board of Education named David W. Pershing as the 15th president in school history while he previously served as the senior vice president for academic affairs at the U.

Pershing succeeds Michael K. Young, who left to serve in the same capacity at the University of Washington at Seattle in early 2011.

Pershing was selected from a field of more than 80 candidates who the committee considered.

Pershing stated he was excited to lead the U. into its next phase of growth and is eager to work with the “superb faculty” while finding innovative ways to assist students.

PRICE, Utah (AP)-Rachel Scoggins had 14 points and the Carbon Lady Dinos pounded North Sanpete, 64-40 Thursday in Region 12 girls basketball action. Taylor Gordon had 11 points in the loss for the Lady Hawks.

KANAB, Utah (AP)-Calli Jackson amassed 13 points and 14 boards as the Kanab Cowgirls smacked Millard, 60-33 in Region 13 girls basketball action Thursday. Keri Brunson led the Lady Eagles with 9 points in defeat.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Megan Bean posted 28 points and the Richfield Lady Wildcats stormed past the South Sevier Lady Rams, 57-31 Thursday in Region 15 girls basketball action. Shelby Sorenson had nine points to pace South Sevier in defeat.

SALINA, Utah (AP)-Shaylie Mason had 15 points and Bailey Sorenson added 14 more as the North Sevier Lady Wolves tripped up American Leadership, 56-49 in Region 16 girls basketball action Thursday.

TROPIC, Utah (AP)-Sydney Cornforth had 23 points and the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs blasted Escalante, 61-37 Thursday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Lindsey Phillips posted 16 points in defeat for the Lady Moquis.

JUNCTION, Utah (AP)-Kierra Gleave led the way with 20 points as the Piute Lady Thunderbirds tripped up Milford, 47-38 in Region 20 girls basketball action Thursday.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)-Haley Robins had 17 points and the Wayne Lady Badgers edged the Panguitch Lady Bobcats, 43-38 Thursday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Katelyn Parkin had 10 points to lead the Lady Bobcats in defeat.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has officially joined with numerous other U.S. churches to make another statement on traditional marriage.

The statement in question, entitled, Marriage and Religious Freedom: Fundamental Goods That Stand and Fall Together, denounces gay marriage and espouses traditional values.

It has already become controversial online as it threatens to dismantle gay marriage which is deemed as an acceptable union in several U.S. states.

The letter was signed by 39 ecclesiastical leaders, including the Church’s presiding Bishop, H. David Burton.

Advocates of the statement assert that if gay marriage continues to be accepted, it will decimate religious freedom in a nation which was established for that purpose.

Advocates also believe that if gay marriage grows it will have a domino effect on how other laws are administered, such as those on taxes, adoption and health care.

(DENVER)-The Associated Press reports a Denver-based federal appeals court is musing the Obama administration’s decision to cancel Bush-era oil and gas leases near Utah national parks.

The case, which is to come before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday involves leases near Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Dinosaur National Monument that were auctioned off in the final month of President George W. Bush’s administration.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar later canceled these leases and energy companies proceeded to challenge his decision in court after which environmental activist Tim DeChristopher drove prices up but was sentenced to two years in prison when he did not have the $1.7 million to pay for the leases he won.

The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation has awarded a grant to the Casino Star Theatre Foundation for $3500. The money will be used to assist with mounting the missing statues above the windows. Mark Cox from Rocky Mountain Power presented the check to Lori Nay and Diana Spencer on Tuesday, Jan 17th. Brad Taggart from the Snow College Art Department donated his talent to recreate the statues from a 1915 photograph. The Theatre Foundation states that without grants and donations the restoration would not be able to happen on the 99 year old theater. The organization is grateful for everyone who has donated including Rocky Mountain Power and all those who have been so supportive for the effort.

(MANTI)-With the dawn of a new year, the Manti Chamber of Commerce started 2012 off by discussing the template for the upcoming year in Manti City.

The meeting, which occurred at Dirk’s Farmhouse Restaurant, was chaired by influential chamber member Mary Pipes who discussed various ideas with several merchants on hand concerning how to enhance businesses in the Sanpete County seat.

Additionally, resident Eileen Roth stated 2012 commemorates Rat Fink’s 50th birthday so this year’s reunion, slated for May 31-June 2, will feature a special tribute to the iconic character.

As for the chamber, Pipes stated several events conducted annually by the organization, such as the holiday drawing which occurs every December, will remain intact while the primary focus of the meetings is to ensure the chamber is meeting the needs of the community.

Event host and chamber member, Dirk Correnti, said he appreciated hosting the January luncheon and expressed gratitude for the chamber’s assistance in helping get the word out about his establishment.

The next chamber meeting is slated for February 15 at 12:00 p.m. at Manti House Inn while Pipes said she hopes to have resident Doug Dyreng give the presentation.

PAYSON, Utah (AP)-Clint Bateman amassed 25 points and the Payson Lions downed the Delta Rabbits, 71-55 Tuesday in Region 12 boys basketball action. Kyle Church had 16 points in the loss for Delta.

SPANISH FORK, Utah (AP)-Clay Banks stepped up with 27 points as the Spanish Fork Dons surged past the North Sanpete Hawks, 76-67 in Region 12 boys basketball action Tuesday. Rhett Bird had 18 points in the loss for the Hawks.

PAYSON, Utah (AP)-Kennedy Springer led the way with 12 points and the Delta Lady Rabbits downed the Payson Lady Lions, 47-34 Tuesday in Region 12 girls basketball action.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)-Hattie Snyder and Macail Wood had 10 points apiece and the Beaver Lady Beavers doubled up the Enterprise Lady Wolves, 38-19 in Region 13 girls basketball action Tuesday.

PAROWAN, Utah (AP)-Kaytee Glover posted 23 points and Whitney Houston added 17 more as the Kanab Cowgirls pummeled the Parowan Lady Rams, 65-34 Tuesday in Region 13 girls basketball action.

SPANISH FORK, Utah (AP)-Sara Brown had 20 points and Chansey Caldwell added 19 more as the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs stymied American Leadership, 55-36 in Region 16 girls basketball action Tuesday.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Morgan Okerlund had 11 points and the North Sevier Lady Wolves decimated Wasatch Academy, 58-19 Tuesday in Region 16 girls basketball action.

SANDY, Utah (AP)-Melanie Mitsvotai had 13 points and the Manti Lady Templars ousted the Waterford Lady Ravens, 45-32 in non-region girls basketball action Tuesday. Mandee Christensen added 11 more in the win for Manti.

(TESHIE, Ghana)-University of Utah graduate and native Ghanaian Gladys Ashitey is doing her best to capitalize upon her higher education attainment by running for a parliament seat in the Ghanaian province where she grew up, adjacent to the capital city of Accra.

While voting is not slated until December 7, donations are currently being accepted at ashietyforparliament.com and if elected, she has pledged to construct a private medical school in Ghana, train more doctors, provide more jobs and assist in building the country’s infrastructure.

Ashitey, a native of Teshie, Ghana, has attended more than 10 years of graduate and undergraduate school in the U.S. and the Caribbean, while also laboring and teaching in Teshie.

She was also instrumental in helping Teshie obtain autonomy from Accra, while lobbying for Chinese charity organizations to construct a hospital in the region, commemorating one of the Ghanaian government’s more significant innovations in its modern history.

Additionally, Ashitey and her husband, an Episcopalian priest/pharmacist, have spent many years traveling to Ghana’s rural regions, delivering health care and medication to those in need.

(ST. GEORGE)-The Southwest Utah Public Health Department of St. George has announced it is currently offering monthly car seat classes to all child caregivers free of charge.

Estimates state 75 percent of all car seats have been installed incorrectly while the course will cover the importance of car seats to children, how to select the right car seat for children, how to adjust it accordingly and safely install it.

Child Passenger Safety Technician and SWUPHD health educator Shalyce Oman, will serve as instructor for the course.

Oman says because of the numerous factors which installing a car seat entails, it is often complicated for parents to know what to do.

However, she ensured that participants will know everything that needs to be done for the process to go seamlessly.

The course will occur monthly and for dates and times, please visit www.swuhealth.org/car-seat, or give Oman a call at 986-2563.

Parents also have the option to make appointments to have current car seats checked or receive assistance to have it installed properly.

DELTA, Utah (AP)-Austin Albers led the way with 16 points and the Delta Rabbits pummeled Juab, 69-51 Friday in Region 12 boys basketball action at the Palladium. Brayden Kaae had 13 points in defeat for the Wasps.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Clint Bateman posted 20 points as the Payson Lions humbled the North Sanpete Hawks, 61-47 in Region 12 boys basketball action Friday. Rhett Bird had 13 points in defeat for North Sanpete.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)-Braxton Williams and Tyler Roberts had 16 points apiece as the Beaver Beavers got past the Kanab Cowboys, 62-55 Friday in Region 13 boys basketball action. Brandon Jenson had 18 points in the loss for Kanab.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)-Justin Hulet posted 16 points and the Parowan Rams edged the Millard Eagles, 52-49 in Region 13 boys basketball action Friday. Joel Swallow had 18 points in defeat for Millard.

BLANDING, Utah (AP)-Logan Meyer keyed a balanced scoring attack with 19 points and the San Juan Broncos tripped up the Richfield Wildcats, 60-49 Friday in Region 15 boys basketball action. Jordan Kemp had 16 points in defeat for Richfield.

MOAB, Utah (AP)-Race Parsons led the way with 28 points and the South Sevier Rams shellacked the Grand Red Devils, 77-50 in Region 15 boys basketball action Friday.

MANTI, Utah (AP)-Brady Aste and Jamen Miller each posted 16 points and the Manti Templars gashed the North Sevier Wolves, 60-48 in Region 16 boys basketball action Friday. Kaesen Rasmussen had 20 points in the loss for North Sevier.

KAMAS, Utah (AP)-Nik Roberts had 18 points and the Gunnison Bulldogs edged the South Summit Wildcats, 44-41 Friday in non-region boys basketball action.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Shelby Jorgensen and Taylor Gordon had 15 points apiece and the North Sanpete Lady Hawks downed the Payson Lady Lions, 53-43 in Region 12 girls basketball action Friday.

MONROE, Utah (AP)-Kylee Mackelprang had 18 points and the South Sevier Lady Rams pounded Grand 51-14 Friday in Region 15 girls basketball action.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Sloane Roundy amassed 29 points, including five 3-pointers as the Richfield Lady Wildcats pummeled San Juan, 62-40 in Region 15 girls basketball action Friday.

MILFORD, Utah (AP)-Becca Wright had 11 points for the Milford Lady Tigers as they edged Panguitch 32-31 Friday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Natashia Barney had 11 points in the loss for Panguitch.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)-Chelsie Sylvester led the way with 19 points and Whitney Westwood added 16 more as the Piute Lady Thunderbirds surged past Escalante, 54-46 in Region 20 girls basketball action Friday. Lindsey Phillips led all scorers with 30 points in the loss for the Lady Moquis.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)-Whitney Coleman had 20 points and the Wayne Lady Badgers smacked the Valley Lady Buffaloes, 49-22 Friday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Brittney Frost had 8 points in the loss for the Lady Buffs.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)-Braxton Syrett had 17 points and the Bryce Valley Mustangs tripped up the Panguitch Bobcats, 60-47 Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Brendon Lee had 12 points and six rebounds in defeat for Panguitch.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)-Taylor Albrecht amassed 29 points and 10 boards and the Wayne Badgers surged past Diamond Ranch, 87-72 in Region 20 boys basketball action Thursday.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)-Jacob Christensen posted 22 points as the Escalante Moquis downed the Milford Tigers, 59-50 Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action.

DELTA, Utah (AP)-Kennedy Springer had 16 points as the Delta Lady Rabbits edged the Juab Lady Wasps, 42-41 in Region 12 girls basketball action Thursday at the Palladium. Kobe Farrer had 17 points and Tessa Bradford added 15 more in the loss for Juab.

KANAB, Utah (AP)-Hattie Snyder had 10 points and the Beaver Lady Beavers downed the Kanab Cowgirls, 30-27 Thursday in Region 15 girls basketball action. Kaytee Glover had eight points and four steals in defeat for Kanab.

PAROWAN, Utah (AP)-Keri Brunson posted 19 points as the Millard Lady Eagles stymied the Parowan Lady Rams, 51-40 in Region 15 girls basketball action Thursday.

SALINA, Utah (AP)-Devyn Sorensen led the way with 15 points and the North Sevier Lady Wolves pummeled the Manti Lady Templars, 58-40 Thursday in Region 16 girls basketball action. Mandee Christensen had 19 points in the loss for Manti.

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)-Micaela Willoughby had 13 points as the South Summit Lady Wildcats bested the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs, 47-40 in non-region girls basketball action Thursday. Sara Brown had 14 points in defeat for Gunnison.

There will be a Candlelight Vigil this Sunday evening for relatives and friends of those who have committed suicide. The event is being held to help promote Suicide awareness including the impact it has on families and communities. Candles will be provided and those attending may bring a picture of their friend or loved one who has died. The vigil is organized by Wendy Johnson and her sister Sonja Baum. Wendy’s son Tyler committed suicide last April. Sanpete County and surrounding areas have seen an increase of suicides recently. The public is invited to come share their stories and get information on prevention and coping skills regarding suicide. The vigil will be this Sunday, Jan 15th on the lawn in front of the Mt. Pleasant library at 5pm.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Monday, the Salt Lake Branch of the NAACP will commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day with its 28th annual luncheon, featuring nationally-renowned civil rights attorney Avery Friedman.

Friedman, who appears Saturdays on CNN as the network’s weekend legal analyst, has been called a “walking reference source,” on civil rights law by The Wall Street Journal, the NAACP stated.

Friedman has also been recognized by Time Magazine, The New York Times, and USA Today as a distinguished civil rights lawyer and professor while he has also received the NAACP’s highest award, the Freedom Award.

Salt Lake NAACP Branch President, Jeanetta Williams, said the day is important as a commemoration of the civil rights movement as well as King’s contributions.

Presently, in Utah the NAACP is seeking to restrict payday lending, maintain affirmative action and continue the perpetual fight against discrimination.

Two prominent Utah-based African-Americans will be honored at the luncheon as Third District Judge Tyron Medley will receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award and Gloria Wilkinson, the Zions Bank vice president of community relations, will receive the Rosa Parks Award.

The NAACP, which dates back to 1909, opened its Utah chapter in 1919.

The event, slated for the Little America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City, is open to the public and tickets cost $65 while they are available in advance by calling 1-801-250-5088, or can be purchased at the door while supplies last.

Williams stated the Utah NAACP consists of 500 individuals including blacks, whites, Hispanics, Asians and Polynesians, among others, while for an additional $30 fee anyone can become a member, which gives individuals a subscription to the organization’s magazine.

Williams closed by saying anyone who believes in equality and equal rights for everyone can be a member of the organization.

(CEDAR CITY)-Officials in Iron, Kane and Garfield counties are uniting their efforts to find a man they believe to be living in and stealing from cabins in these mountainous regions of southern Utah for more than three years.

The man in question inflicts substantial damage, says Iron County Sheriff Mark Gower, as he lives in the cabins, eats all the food he can find, burns all available firewood, uses propane and steals lots of things in general.

Gower says the fact he wields a gun wherever he goes, also makes him dangerous.

Wednesday, police released photos of the man, who was clothed in camouflage, toting a rifle, and wearing snowshoes.

Additionally, a cabin owner who set up a game camera following a break-in on his property captured the photos.

Gower says this man has been on law enforcement radar since 2008, when cabin break-ins were more prominently reported and began to take on a distinct pattern.

The man has been known to take guns, clothes, shoes and even cooking utensils from the cabins he enters.

Furthermore, it is believed he spends his summers camping in the outdoors and only uses cabins in the winters while only one individual has reported an encounter with him, saying he was “standoffish” and wanted to disengage.

Gower has asked that property owners returning to their cabins this winter or in the spring to refrain from approaching the man in the event that he may be inside their dwelling.

Anyone with any information on the man is asked to contact the Investigations Division at the Iron County Sheriff’s Office at 867-7500 or submit their tip online at http://www.ironcounty.net/departments/sheriff/index.php/forms/tip-form/

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Wednesday, federal judge Clark Waddoups ruled certain claims in a lawsuit filed by the family of Brian Cardall against the city of Hurricane can proceed to trial.

Shortly after the incident resulting in Cardall’s death, on June 9, 2009, plaintiff Ana Cardall, together with her husband Brian, and their 2-year-old daughter, Ava, were driving south of Hurricane, when Brian began experiencing a manic episode of bipolar disorder behavior.

At this point, Anna pulled over to the side of the road to give Brian some medication after which he took it, but then he refused to get back in the car and took off his clothes.

This compelled Anna to call 911 after which the operator sent out a dispatch to law enforcement officials while representatives of the Hurricane Police Department responded to the call.

As they were on their way to investigate the matter, the dispatch informed them the situation was “psychiatric.”

Cardall died after police used a Taser twice on the 32-year-old doctoral student at Flagstaff, Ariz.-based Northern Arizona University who had an emphasis in molecular biology.

Waddoups ruled the family may bring three of their seven claims to trial, including the allegation that police should have refrained from using a Taser on Cardall.

Salt Lake City-based attorney Peter Stirba, who is representing the City of Hurricane in the case, stated he was pleased that some of the claims were dismissed and is now considering whether the ruling should be appealed on the other claims based upon immunity.

(NEW YORK)-The Associated Press reports Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of Twinkies, Wonder Bread, and numerous other popular snack foods, is filing for bankruptcy protection, blaming troubles with its pension, medical benefits obligations, increased competition and tough economic conditions.

The Chapter 11 filing, administered Wednesday, comes only two years after a predecessor company emerged from bankruptcy proceedings.

The privately held Irving, Texas-based company stated it will be able to maintain routine operation because of a $75 million financing committee from a group of lenders.

Reports had surfaced earlier in the week that the company was planning to make such a filing.

Hostess said it will look to restructure into a “strong, competitive,” company while it will continue to run bakeries, outlet stores and distribution centers while delivering its goods during the process.

Hostess operates in 49 states, including Utah.

(HURRICANE)-Monday, a Hurricane man suspected of breaking into a local business and separate storage unit has been jailed after being charged with multiple theft and burglary charges.

The 29-year-old Timothy Cleveland Griffith was detained and charged with four third-degree felony counts of theft and burglary of a dwelling and non-dwelling and was booked into the Washington County Jail at Hurricane on $20,000 bail.

Hurricane Police Sergeant Stacy Gubler said an employee of a local business informed authorities Monday morning as soon as he arrived at work, noticing obvious signs of a break-in.

Gubler stated windows had been broken and electronic equipment was missing from the business, adding the incident had occurred sometime Sunday evening.

The electronic equipment was worth more than $5,000, including computers vital to the business.

Evidence gathered at the business led officers to Griffith’s residence where he was detained until a search warrant was obtained by a judge while a Washington County Drug Task Force detective also came in later in the day to help write and process the search warrant, Gubler stated.

Some items authorities discovered inside Griffith’s house made him a prime suspect in the burglary of a storage unit which had been reported just hours later.

The second victim was a retired general contractor who reported close to $5,000 in construction tools had been stolen.

Gubler said community residents are happy most of the property from the two burglaries has since been recovered.

(ST. GEORGE)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports a section of Interstate 15 in Arizona straddling the Virgin Valley Gorge was reopened early Wednesday, a day after the Arizona Department of Public Safety ordered both northbound and southbound lanes closed.

This occurred during the wake of a bank robbery at Mesquite, Nev., the suspect’s suicide and a hazardous materials scare.

Information from the Utah Highway Patrol states closures of the interstate in the Virgin Valley Gorge, from Exit 2 on southbound I-15 (the Port of Entry) to Exit 8 in northwestern Arizona, lasted until 4:30 a.m. MST Wednesday.

Arizona Department of Public Safety officials stated police were chasing the suspect, identified as 43-year-old Troy Eugene Williams of Florida, about 1:00 p.m. MST Tuesday, as being in connection with a bomb threat at the Nevada Bank and Trust of Mesquite and subsequent carjacking in the community.

When police stopped the car in question in Arizona and approached Williams, he shot himself in the head, dying at the scene.

The closure of I-15 occurred because authorities discovered at least two suspicious boxes in the back of the suspect’s vehicle.

After the car and packages were thoroughly examined by hazmat teams brought in from Phoenix, the vehicle was towed away and the interstate reopened.

Authorities did not immediately release details about what the packages contained, other than the contents appeared chemical in nature while the incident was investigated by the Mohave County (Ariz.) Sheriff’s Office.

(PROVO)-A Web-based program at Brigham Young University which automatically signs up college students for classes when they have an opening has announced it will no longer be available at the Provo-based institution after it was found to be interfering with its systems.

The program, known as Schedule Snatcher, was created in August 2011 by BYU students Brendon Beebe and Aaron Grow and commenced when Grow inadvertently signed up for the wrong class and failed to realize his mistake until the class he was looking for had no more space.

School procedures state students must manually check online for class openings, a process which students deem to be time-consuming and ineffective, thus inspiring Beebe and Grow to search for a different way.

Approximately 5,000 BYU students used their program before a January 4 announcement by its creators that it would no longer be available for free use at the university in a message posted on their Web site.

Beebe said he had conversed with university officials before launching his site and that they were nervous because the program gave a third party access to student information.

Nevertheless, he proceeded with his plan, convincing himself he was not in violation of any university statutes, he said.

However, as of December 15, he received a call from the registrar’s office, demanding the site be shut down or he would be found in violation of a “sub-committee of the Honor Code office for destructive students.”

Furthermore, the registrar’s office informed him the reason the site must be shut down was because it disrupted university servers, but Beebe says the Schedule Snatcher was constructed explicitly to avoid this.

Beebe has asserted the issue is primarily security concern-based, suggesting authorities disapprove of the site adding classes for students although the university contends it bogged down computer systems and caused other problems.

In an email, BYU spokeswoman Carrie Jenkins stated because Schedule Snatcher’s system continually processes multiple transactions, it definitively limits other students’ access and slows down the performance of the system overall.

Jenkins cited other concerns, such as students being placed in majors-only classes without being in that major, or being registered for graduate classes.

Beebe claimed roughly 20 students paid the $14.95 fee for a “premiere account,” a designation which granted them top priority above all other Schedule Snatcher users.

Notwithstanding the requests of the university, these premiere users will have access to the site until the semester add/drop deadline January 18.

Beebe has said Schedule Snatcher’s intent is not to challenge the authority of BYU, but he has designs of expanding the idea to other universities.

BYU hopes a new online registration process slated to commence in April and featuring spring and summer term registration will make it easier for students to sign up for classes without the influence of a third-party program.

Jenkins said the new system will allow students to monitor in real time how many students are ahead of them in the “wait list,” while preventing students bereft of the necessary prerequisites from signing up.

(ST. GEORGE)-Late Tuesday evening, Interstate 15 south of St. George, near the Utah/Arizona border was shut down indefinitely after a man robbed a Mesquite, Nev. bank and fled north on the interstate to flee local authorities.

The suspect reportedly shot himself in the head when an Arizona state trooper stopped his vehicle on a stretch of I-15 that passes near the Virgin Valley Gorge while he died at the scene, authorities stated.

While investigating the vehicle, the trooper noticed material in boxes the suspect was carrying which appeared to be hazardous.

Authorities then shut down the freeway until further notice until an Arizona hazmat team could process the scene.

Arizona Public Safety Officer Carrick Cook said all that is really known about the material is it is hazardous and the shutdown could last as long as Wednesday afternoon.

Presently, motorists are being told to take old Highway 91 which is accessible on Sunset Boulevard in St. George and passes through Santa Clara before going southbound toward Las Vegas.

Larger vehicles, such as semitrucks or buses, have been asked to exit I-15 at Beaver or Cedar City until the freeway reopens and northbound vehicles are being advised to exit at Mesquite.

The Arizona hazmat team had to be flown from Phoenix to St. George to get to the location near Arizona milemarker 20 and were expected to have arrived by Tuesday evening, Cook said.

The series of events commenced around Tuesday night at 11:30 a.m. MST Tuesday according to a press release from Mesquite when officers responded to an alarm at the Nevada Bank and Trust.

The suspect entered the bank, informing officials he was carrying a bomb and a gun according to the statement and was wearing a fake mustache.

He had blue eyes, was about 5’6” tall and wearing a faded green jacket and pink baseball cap.

He left the bank with $2,800 in cash and proceeded to run toward a nearby apartment building.

A witness informed Mesquite Police officials he got into a white Dodge Charger or Cadillac sedan parked nearby.

The Arizona DPS officer followed a vehicle matching this description and marked his steps from milepost 11 to milepost 20 where he took his own life.

As of late Tuesday evening, officials had not released the name of the suspect, pending notification of family members.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by Beaver Dam (Ariz.) Fire and Rescue and no one else was injured in the incident.

(PARK CITY)-Tuesday, Canadian freestyle skier Sarah Burke incurred a serious injury when training on the Park City superpipe while she was later airlifted to University Hospital in Salt Lake City.

Park City Mountain Resort spokesman Andy Miller stated the accident occurred early in the afternoon.

Miller said the halfpipe where the accident occurred was the same one that critically injured snowboarder Kevin Pearce, who suffered traumatic brain injuries at the time but had returned to the slopes as of last December.

Via its Twitter account, the Canadian freestyle ski team reported Tuesday that Burke, a native of Midland, Ontario, said she had incurred a “serious injury.”

The 29-year-old Burke is a four-time Winter X games champion in skiing superpipe, an event consisting of snowboarding halfpipe competition on skis.

Burke also suffered injury in 2009 when landing awkwardly and breaking a vertebrae in her lower back.

Since healing in the interim, she had reascended to the top of her sport and was slated to schedule her title during next month’s X games competition at Aspen, Colo.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Colin Christensen posted 20 points and Austin Albers added 19 more as the Delta Rabbits got past the North Sanpete Hawks, 61-55 Tuesday in Region 12 boys basketball action. Jake Bailey and Rhett Bird had 15 points apiece in the loss for the Hawks.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Kennedy Springer led all scorers with 33 points and the Delta Lady Rabbits pounded the North Sanpete Lady Hawks, 60-41 in Region 12 girls basketball action Tuesday. Taylor Gordon stepped up with 19 points in the loss for North Sanpete.

NEPHI, Utah (AP)-Tessa Bradford’s 26 points led the way and the Juab Lady Wasps downed the Spanish Fork Lady Dons, 49-36 Tuesday in Region 12 girls basketball action.

ENTERPRISE, Utah (AP)-Josie Mitchell, Madison Holmes and Taylor Phelps had nine points apiece and the Enterprise Lady Wolves edged the Millard Lady Eagles, 51-47 in Region 13 girls basketball action Tuesday. Cheryl Stephenson had 14 points in defeat for Millard.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)-Macail Wood had 12 points and the Beaver Lady Beavers got past the Parowan Lady Rams, 35-31 Tuesday in Region 13 girls basketball action.

CASTLE DALE, Utah (AP)-Megan Bean posted 16 points and the Richfield Lady Wildcats downed the Emery Lady Spartans, 47-40 in Region 15 girls basketball action Tuesday.

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)-Morgan Okerlund had 14 points for the North Sevier Lady Wolves as they bested the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs, 53-43 Tuesday in Region 16 girls basketball action. Madee Christenson had 13 points to pace Gunnison in defeat.

(Ephraim) Ephraim Canyon has a new parking lot that will serve those coming to the canyon to snowmobile. The lot is located at the Forest Gate in Ephraim Canyon and is the result of a coordinated effort between the Manti LaSal National Forest, Ephraim City, and Sanpete County. According to Sanpete County Economic Development Director Kevin Christensen, the Forest Service approved the project, Ephraim City provided the fill dirt and the Sanpete County Road Department performed the earth work. Christensen says the parking lot will accommodate eight to ten trucks with trailers on the south side of the road while still keeping the north side of the road open as a turn-around.

MONROE, Utah (AP)-Race Parsons posted 22 points and the South Sevier Rams downed the Waterford Ravens, 61-46 Saturday in non-region boys basketball action.

COALVILLE, Utah (AP)-Kelsey Barney had 14 points and the North Sevier Lady Wolves edged South Summit, 42-40 in non-region girls basketball action Saturday.

MONROE, Utah (AP)-Race Parsons keyed a balanced scoring attack with 20 points as the South Sevier Rams surged past the Emery Spartans, 76-55 Friday in Region 15 boys basketball action.

TROPIC, Utah (AP)-Jake Pearson stepped up with 20 points and the Bryce Valley Mustangs hammered the Milford Tigers, 64-40 in Region 20 boys basketball action Friday.

ORDERVILLE, Utah (AP)-Tyce Barney led the way with 17 points as the Panguitch Bobcats edged the Valley Buffaloes, 37-32 Friday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Colby Spencer had 11 points in the loss for the Buffs.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)-Ty Rees and Zack Taylor each amassed 21 points as the Wayne Badgers stormed past the Escalante Moquis, 56-43 in Region 20 boys basketball action Friday. Kayson Durfey had 22 points in the loss for Escalante.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)-Colin Christensen had 21 points and the Delta Rabbits gashed the Millard Eagles, 54-40 Friday in non-region boys basketball action. Jesse Rhodes had 12 points in the loss for Millard.

LINDON, Utah (AP)-Colby Caldwell posted 16 points while Ty Bartholomew added 14 more as the Gunnison Bulldogs stymied Maeser Prep, 50-27 in non-region boys basketball action Friday.

COALVILLE, Utah (AP)-Brady Aste’s 14 points paced the Manti Templars in a 66-43 rout of the North Summit Braves Friday in non-region boys basketball action.

SANDY, Utah (AP)-Brandon Miller had 21 points as the Brighton Bengals bludgeoned the North Sanpete Hawks, 75-47 in non-region boys basketball action Friday. Kyle Seely had 12 points in the loss for the Hawks.

NEPHI, Utah (AP)-Brayden Welburn led the way with 12 points and the Juab Wasps humbled Parowan 50-42 in non-region boys basketball action Friday.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Megan Bean led all scorers with 15 points as the Richfield Lady Wildcats decimated the Grand Lady Red Devils, 53-10 Friday in Region 15 girls basketball action.

CASTLE DALE, Utah (AP)-Jeridi Price had 16 points and the Emery Lady Spartans edged South Sevier, 57-54 in Region 15 girls basketball action Friday. Shantae Dustin had 18 points in the loss for the Lady Rams.

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)-Sara Brown had 15 points and the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs pummeled Rowland Hall/St. Mark’s 56-30 Friday in non-region girls basketball action.

ORDERVILLE, Utah (AP)-Kennedy Netto had 14 points and the Milford Lady Tigers downed Valley, 45-30 Thursday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Brittney Frost had 13 points in the loss for the Lady Buffs.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)-Shaylee Gleave posted 16 points and the Piute Lady Thunderbirds edged the Panguitch Lady Bobcats, 38-35 in Region 20 girls basketball action Thursday. Chandler Campbell had 8 points in defeat for Panguitch.

TROPIC, Utah (AP)-Whitni Syrett amassed 22 points as the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs held off the Wayne Lady Badgers, 51-47 Thursday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Sarah Taylor had 14 points in the loss for Wayne.

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)-BrieAnn Peterson keyed a balanced scoring attack with 13 points and the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs doubled up Maeser Prep, 54-27 in non-region girls basketball action Thursday.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)-Sammi Beck stepped up with 13 points and the Richfield Lady Wildcats got past the Beaver Lady Beavers, 36-30 Thursday in non-region girls basketball action. Macail Wood had 17 points to lead all scorers in the loss for Beaver.

(COLORADO CITY, Ariz.)-As a new wave of supposed revelations emanate from jailed polygamous sect leader Warren Jeffs, new allegations that underage girls are being secretly detained for his purposes by followers, possibly for sexual use.

Wednesday, Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said he intends to look into the claim, although a spokesman said it is presumptuous to presently call his efforts an investigation.

The latest allegation has come amid the context of percolating tension as former members and outside critics state Jeffs set a deadline of December 31 for members to exhibit righteousness.

Reportedly, they were commanded to undergo intense personal interviews, confess their allegiance to Jeffs, obey strict new rules about personal behavior and turn over large amounts of money.

At the advent of the new year, somewhere between 1,000 and 2,000 new members were reportedly told they were too wicked to attend regular Church meetings.

One man who was outlawed from attending Church said his wife and 10 children were seized by sect authorities at 3:00 a.m. one morning recently while Cedar City-based private investigator Sam Brower said the man called him in tears.

Brower said Jeffs rendered the man completely destitute as literally everything dear and essential to him had been taken away.

Printed documents attributed to Jeffs have appeared at Shurtleff’s office while the revelations, primarily consisting of doom and destruction, have been mailed by sect officials in recent weeks to government offices, churches and schools nationwide.

One of the documents in question specifically signals out a Salt Lake County man, Dr. Dan Fischer, as a “traitor” and “liar” for setting up a community for excommunicated sect members, known as the Diversity Foundation.

Fischer reported with every passing day, members are leaving the sect, especially the rising generation, who are dismayed and discouraged with Jeffs’ precepts.

(Mount Pleasant) Angela Atwood Hill of Fairview, one of two people arrested in Nevada and charges with a range of crimes including attempted murder, claims that she was a victim rather than a participant. Hill and Logan McFarland were booked into the Elko County Jail with cash bail set at $102,000 for Hill and $52,000 for McFarland. The two are also wanted in Utah in connection with the murder of two Mount Pleasant residents. Hill seemed shocked at the accusations being made against her. She claims that she was held hostage by McFarland during the crime spree that spanned two states. Hill apparently told her mother that McFarland beat her and threatened her life if she tried to escape. Police don’t believe that Hill was involved in the Mount Pleasant murders, but allege that she became involved in other crimes as the two fled the state. Those other crimes include an attempted carjacking during which police claim Hill shot the cars owner in the head. Hill claims that McFarland fired the shots from the vehicle he was following in and that he tried to shoot her as well. Elko Justice Court Judge Barbara Nethery told the two that the charges they face in Nevada would be satisfied before they would be extradited to Utah.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Wednesday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints announced it has launched a news Web site for its affairs in Hong Kong, located at www.mormonnewsroom.hk.

This Web site is the second standardized international newsroom site the Church has launched, with one geared toward Mexican members being the first.

While many of the Church’s country-specific Web sites have a newsroom section, the Mexico and Hong Kong sites are the first of several planned to launch in the coming months in a format similar to the Church’s worldwide newsroom.

These new sites are aimed at providing area-specific content, while the Church’s primary worldwide newsroom site will remain the official resource for global news media and coverage.

The Hong Kong newsroom’s Web site content is published in English and serves as a media hub for journalists and the public in the Hong Kong region, which houses 24,000 Latter-Day Saints, according to the most recently conducted survey in 2010.

(WASHINGTON)-Grand Canyon National Park will be among the national parks which will waive admission fees to commemorate Martin Luther King Weekend January 14-16.

Entrance fees will be waived for all visitors to national parks at this time while visitors who plan to be in national parks overnight will need to pay the regular entrance fee for the remainder of their stay.

Grand Canyon superintendent Palma Wilson says winter is a wonderful time at the famed national park as there are fewer people and the pace is considerably slower.

As has been the case previously, the fee free designation does not apply to fees for camping, reservations, tours or use of concessions while park entrance stations will have interagency senior and annual passes for those desirous to purchase them.

Park visitors are cautioned that since the South Rim of the Grand Canyon sits at an elevation of 7,000 feet, wintry driver conditions this time of year, including slick roads, are always a possibility.

Other fee free admission days at national parks in 2012 include April 21-29 (National Parks Week), June 9 (Get Outdoors Day), September 29 (National Public Lands Day) and November 10-12 (Veterans Day Weekend).

(COLORADO CITY, Ariz.)-The Salt Lake Tribune reports that this past weekend, a polygamous sect which straddles the Utah-Arizona border led by jailed leader Warren Jeffs, barred as many as 1,500 members from attending church because of their apparent unworthiness.

Traditionally, the way to deal with unworthy or disloyal members has been excommunication, stated former sect member Willie Jessop, but in this instance were forbidden from entering the meetinghouse in Colorado City, Ariz.

Jessop confirmed those who were denied entry into the meetinghouse were those who had spoken out against Jeffs, had refused to pay tithing, which totals thousands of dollars or any other number of extremely enforced rules.

Additionally, they were commanded to continue their repentance elsewhere, he said.

Former member Isaac Wyler said the outcasts included men, women and children, while in several instances, families were divided.

Wyler said such an act is not unprecedented in the sect’s past, but this one is larger than any that has occurred to his knowledge.

Tuesday, the Utah Attorney General’s Office obtained a 149-page book of apocalyptic revelations, supposedly from God, which were purportedly given to Jeffs and his son from October-December 2011 while about 20 of them are new and approximately 36 more have proven to be repeats, stated AG spokesman Paul Murphy.

(BAGHDAD)-The Associated Press reports a series of attacks in Iraq Wednesday targeting the homes of police officers and a member of a government-aimed militia killed four people, including two children, officials confirmed.

Authorities stated six roadside bombs planted near houses belonging to security officers in Baquba exploded as their families were sleeping.

Two children died amid the blasts and nine others were wounded in the city which is 35 miles northeast of Baghdad and considered a former stronghold of al-Qaida militants.

Additionally, police gunmen stormed the house of a leader in the anti-al-Qaida militia situated in the predominantly Sunni Muslim suburb of Abu Ghraib, west of the capital, killing him and his wife.

The man in question had been active in the Sahwa, or Sons of Iraq, a Sunni militia which was instrumental in suppressing the influence of al-Qaida in the country.

Medical officials confirmed the casualty toll while all officials spoke on condition of anonymity, having no authority to speak with reporters.

Iraqi officials have since warned of a resurgence entailing both Sunni and Shiite Muslims as well as an increase in violence following the U.S. withdrawal which occurred last month.

The latest scene of violence emerged after a growing political crisis occurred which saw Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s Shiite-dominated government issue an arrest warrant for the country’s top Sunni politician last month.

Al-Maliki’s primary political rival, Sunni-backed Iraqi Bloc, has since boycotted parliament sessions and Cabinet meetings to protest what they deem as government efforts to consolidate power and marginalize them.

Al-Maliki spokesman Ali-al Moussawi informed reporters Tuesday the Cabinet voted to declare the missing Iraqiya ministers “on leave,” a decision which sidesteps any possibility the boycotting ministers would be replaced.

Al-Moussawi stated steps are being taken to persuade the Iraqiya lawmakers to return although he failed to provide specifics or confirm how long the government was willing to wait.

(SEATTLE)-The Associated Press reports Washington state-based Mount Rainier National Park will reopen to the public Saturday with all services intact, except for snow play.

The park had been closed since ranger Margaret Anderson was shot to death on New Year’s Day after attempting to stop a car which failed to pull over at a checkpoint requiring drivers to put chains on their vehicles.

A memorial service is being planned for the 34-year-old mother of two who was married to another park ranger.

Authorities stated she was killed by 24-year-old Benjamin Colton Barnes, an Iraqi war veteran while investigators found his body face down in a snowy creek Monday with a handgun and rifle in the area.

An autopsy conducted Tuesday depicted he had hypothermia and drowned.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Tuesday, online retail dealer overstock.com of Cottonwood Heights, Utah announced it selected the Priceline Partner Network, a business unit of priceline.com, to power its new travel Web site, known as O.co Travel.

Under this new agreement, customers will have access to a vast collection of travel services from the Priceline Partner Network, such as Priceline’s famed “Name Your Own Price,” which is often advertised on television and radio.

O.co Travel customers will also have access to Priceline’s extensive database of hotel instant discounts, free breakfast and free Internet access.

The new travel site will also support rental car company discount codes, giving customers the ability to book rental car reservations worldwide as well as airline ticketing with almost all major airlines through priceline.com.

Overstock.com was founded in 1999 and is the largest Internet-based retailer in the U.S. with revenues exceeding $1 billion in 2010 while boasting 1,500 employees.

River Shaver was the first baby born at the Gunnison Valley Hospital for 2012. River was born Jan 2nd at 11:49pm to Nathan and Brandy Shaver who live in Richfield. River was 6 pounds 2 ounces and 18 inches long. She is the families 6th child and went home with a gift basket from the hospitals gift shop and nurses that included diapers, toys, blankets and other baby essentials.

(DES MOINES, Iowa)-The Associated Press reports with a nailbiter victory in Iowa having been accomplished, 2012 GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney said his staying power separates him from rivals Rick Santorum and Ron Paul, among others.

Romney stated, after his narrow victory in the Iowa caucuses, that there is a bullseye on his back but with his broad shoulders, he is poised to face whatever comes his way.

The Iowa GOP stated Romney received 30,015 votes, as opposed to 30,007 for Santorum, while the former Pennsylvania senator experienced a recent surge to become a primary challenger to Romney.

Wednesday, Romney depicted himself as the best Republican challenger to debunk incumbent Barack Obama and stated he had sufficient funds to ensue in his campaign throughout the summer.

Meanwhile, some of Romney’s competitors, including Santorum, have given no thought to contest him beyond the January 21 primaries in South Carolina.

U.S. Marshals have arrested a Utah couple in connection with a two state crime including a double homicide in Mt. Pleasant and a carjacking in West Wendover. At about 1:45 Tuesday afternoon, law enforcers responded to a report of a man and a woman seen walking in the desert near Big Springs Ranch in Nevada, between Wells and Wendover. Marshals found the couple, detained them, and confirmed they were 24 year old Logan Wells McFarland and 25 year old Angela Marie Hill (Atwood). The couple was expected to be transported to the Elko County, Nevada Jail.

LOCAL NEWS

Law enforcement in Nevada are looking for Sanpete County residents 24 year old Logan Welles McFarland, and 25 year old Angela Atwood also known as Angela Hill in connection with a two-state crime spree, including a double homicide in Mt. Pleasant..

Sam Penrod with KSL told mid Utah Radio that McFarland had made statements about the world ending on Dec. 31. Both McFarland and Atwood remained on the run Tuesday. The search is now considered to be of a nationwide scope. Penrod said they had previously been booked in Sanpete County for several charges.

Court documents show that an arrest warrant for second-degree felony burglary was issued Sunday for McFarland. The affidavit says McFarland and Atwood-Hill robbed a home in Mt. Pleasant. Later they carjacked a woman in West Wendover and Atwood shot her in the head as she tried to get away from them.

The arrest warrant itself does not directly connect McFarland or Atwood to the shooting deaths of Ann and Woody Fullwood. However, in other papers filed in 6th District Court, investigators say “the state of Utah considers Logan Welles McFarland a person of interest in the deaths of the two … Mt. Pleasant residents.”

A lot of residents are wondering why the Fullwoods were targeted. KSL’s San Penrod says at this point it appears random.

According to the affidavit: McFarland and Atwood borrowed a 1997 Plymouth Breeze from an acquaintance on Dec. 29. McFarland said it was so he could “go to Mt. Pleasant to a ‘friend’s house,’” the arrest warrant states. The couple returned the car at midnight on Dec. 30. McFarland “bragged to the acquaintance about acquiring firearms and money,”.

But when the acquaintance got out of bed in the morning his car was gone. . It was later recovered near Santaquin. The acquaintance later called police after viewing an online story about the Mt. Pleasant killings and seeing a photo of a person he thought he could identify. A police search recovered some of the items belonging to the Fullwood’s. . The affidavit also revealed that a Del Taco receipt found in another vehicle the couple was allegedly driving, showed a purchase was made using the Fullwoods’ credit card.

After the car in Santaquin was abandoned, another vehicle, a Saturn Ion, was stolen near the area. The Saturn was found abandoned in Wells, Nev. The couple allegedly then stole a Volkswagen Jetta

Sargeant Dave Wiskerchen of the Wendover Police force is asking for the publics help to find the pair and $5,000 reward is being offered by the U. S. Marshals Office offered for any information that will help in the investigation. Their contact number is 801-524-5693, or call your nearest law enforcement.

A statement from the Fullwood Family: We want to express our appreciation for the love and support of our friends, neighbors and the entire community during this terrible time. All of the agencies helping us through this loss have been professional and kind. We know that law enforcement officials are working tirelessly to solve this senseless act. We are so thankful for their efforts. Words cannot express how much our parents will be missed. We are so proud to be their children and their legacy here on earth. They were kind and loving people who cared deeply for everyone-family, friends and strangers alike. They raised us with faith in Christ, and they demonstrated this faith through service for their country, community, and family. We know that our parents are now focused, not on the events that led to their death, but on the next chapter of their eternal lives. We are planning memorial services in our parent’s memory. We will provide more information on those plans in the days to come.

The Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area(MPNHA) has joined with a non-profit group to revive the romance of the mining days in Piute County with plans for a interactive, hands-on display of a mine and mining camp near the ghost town of Bullion City. The mining exploration camp should be completed by this summer. The mining project is earmarked to receive 25-thousand dollars. The mining exhibit will be built in conjunction with the Deer Creek Mining and Resource Preservation Corp., which was formed in September. Edward Pons, the preservation organization’s director, says 25-thousand dollars has been raised to match the heritage grant. He says his group will try to track down as many authentic mining implements and tools as possible; what can’t be found will be manufactured. Pons says part of the project’s appeal will be its hands-on approach to the mining experience, including a false mine shaft, rock crusher sluice box and shaker table. After visitors load an ore car and wheel it out of the mine, the ore will be packed in saddle bags on mules or horses and taken for processing to the other displays.

The Kanab Fire Department is seeking donations of clunkers and junked cars for use in its ongoing extrication-training program. Department Training officer Captain Landon Welch says, “Extrication is critical life-saving service where firefighters cut away parts of a car to make sure trapped passengers can be removed safely from the vehicle.” Welch adds that they want to stay as sharp as possible and they need a steady supply of vehicles for frequent practice. Volunteers will gladly pick up any available cars. All donated vehicles must have a clear title before they can be donated and used in extrcation training. If you have questions, contact the Kanab Fire Department at 644-2718.