RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Star Justin Johnson posted 13 points and 22 rebounds and the Green River Pirates survived against the Valley Buffaloes with a 37-33 win Wednesday in the 1A tournament at the Sevier Valley Center. Chase Spencer had 10 points and seven rebounds in the loss for the Buffs. Valley next meets Piute Thursday at 2:30 p.m. on KMGR 102.7 and 95.9 FM.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Remington Rawlings had 28 points and the Layton Christian Eagles overpowered the Panguitch Bobcats, 74-57 Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center in 1A tournament action. Tyce Barney led all scorers with 34 points in the loss for Panguitch. Panguitch next meets Tintic Thursday at 10:00 a.m. on KMGR 102.7 and 95.9 FM.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Bracken Pinter and McKay Jarmon combined for 32 points and 20 rebounds as the Rich Rebels bested Piute, 59-47 at the Sevier Valley Center Wednesday in 1A tournament action. Anthony Hardman and Ty Jessen had 11 points apiece in the loss for the Thunderbirds.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Monte Clyde had 14 points and Demonte Nay added 13 more as the Tabiona Tigers bested the Tintic Miners, 45-38 in 1A tournament action Wednesday. McKade Holman had 13 points and nine rebounds in the loss for Tintic, while Collin Fitzgerald had 10 points and 10 rebounds in defeat for the Miners.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Ty Rees had 38 points, while making all 15 of his free throws and the Wayne Badgers outlasted Whitehorse, 66-60 Wednesday in the 1A state tournament at the Sevier Valley Center. Karl Holly had 28 points and Tavis Martin had 18 points and eight boards in the loss for the Raiders. Wayne next meets Liahona Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Eddie Dunham posted 22 points and nine rebounds and the Bryce Valley Mustangs advanced into the 1A state quarterfinals with a 52-39 win over Duchesne Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center. Jacob Pearson added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Mustangs while McKade Nielsen had 15 points in defeat for the Eagles. Bryce Valley next meets Monticello Thursday at 4:00 p.m. on KMGR 102.7 and 95.9 FM.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Carson Smith had 20 points and eight rebounds while Weston Meacham nearly amassed a triple double with 17 points, 10 boards and six assists, to lead the Liahona Warriors to a 71-51 rout of Intermountain Christian Wednesday in the 1A tournament at the Sevier Valley Center. Mikey Boettger had 17 points in defeat for the Lions.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Jake Duncan had 14 points while Gunnar Hollingsworth stepped up with 12 points and 12 boards as the Monticello Buckaroos smacked St. Joseph, 57-36 Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center in the 1A tournament. Jordan Jones had 9 points in the loss for the Jayhawks.

Utah’s state engineer is not changing his mind about a proposed nuclear power plant. Kent Jones has approved the plant near Green River. Jones says two groups didn’t convince him the applicants didn’t have the finances to build the project.

The immigration issue isn’t going anywhere in the Utah legislature this session. Four measures on illegal immigration are dead. They did not get out of the rules committee to be debated on the House or Senate floors. Some state lawmakers tell KUTV-TV they didn’t vote to pass immigration bills because they believe public mood has shifted from last year when it was a hot topic.

Things are looking brighter for Utah’s economy. A recent analysis says the state’s current economic condition is getting better. The Zions Bank Consumer Attitude Index also says more Utahns also think the economy nationwide will improve in the next year.

Utahns will soon have two more daily nonstop flights to Washington, DC. Delta Air Lines announced yesterday that it’s adding two daily flights from Salt Lake International Airport to Washington-Reagan Airport. Delta spokesman Trebor Banstetter says many travelers prefer Reagan Airport because it’s close to central Washington, DC. The new flights begin June 7th.

The Utah House of Representatives is endorsing a 90-day “cooling off” period in divorce cases. The bill the house passed yesterday requires couples without children to wait 90 days before being allowed to go to court and file for divorce. Couples with children could attend classes rather than waiting 90 days. The measure that now goes to the Senate calls for the waiting period to be waived in cases of abuse or neglect.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Race Parsons had 16 points and 11 rebounds and Patrick Baker added 15 points and 10 boards as the South Sevier Rams won their second consecutive 2A state championship with a 52-47 win over Richfield Saturday at the Sevier Valley Center. Tyler Anderson had 12 points and Jordan Kemp added 10 more in the loss for the Wildcats.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Hattie Snyder posted 19 points and nine rebounds while Macail Wood added 15 points and six rebounds as the Beaver Lady Beavers won the 2A state girls championship with a 51-32 rout of Region 15 rival Enterprise. Ryley Lyman had nine points in the loss for the Lady Wolves.

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP)-Colton Marshall stepped up with 14 points and nine rebounds as the Hurricane Tigers ensued in their impressive athletic season by taking the 3A state boys basketball title, edging Desert Hills, 52-49 Saturday at Dixie State College. Weston Yardley added 10 more for Hurricane, who also won the football title this past November. Tyler Ott had 12 points in the loss for the Thunder.

WASHINGTON CITY, Utah (AP)-Kyler Nielson had 19 points and the Cedar Redmen earned third place in the 3A state tournament by edging Dixie, 45-43 Saturday at Pine View High School. Walker Swenson had 15 points in the loss for the Flyers.

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP)-Boston Saunders led all scorers with 27 points and the Morgan Trojans edged Ben Lomond, 50-48 to tae fifth place in the 3A state tournament at Dixie High School Saturday. Sterling Brandley and Nate Watkins had 13 points apiece in the loss for the Scots.

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP)-Amy Harris amassed 20 points and six rebounds and the Snow Canyon Lady Warriors took the 3A state championship with a 50-47 win over the Desert Hills Lady Thunder at Dixie State College Saturday. Haley Bodnar had 14 points and nine boards in the loss for Desert Hills.

WASHINGTON CITY, Utah (AP)-Tessa Bradford posted 19 points and Kobe Farrer added 14 more as the Juab Lady Wasps placed third at the 3A state tournament with a 57-41 win over Judge Saturday at Pine View High School.

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP)-Kelsey Henry’s 17 points led the way as the Morgan Lady Trojans obtained fifth place at the 3A state tournament with a 54-40 win over Juan Diego at Dixie High School Saturday.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Megan Bean and Sloane Roundy combined to make 15 of 24 shots, 39 points and 13 rebounds as the Richfield Lady Wildcats placed fifth in the 2A state girls’ tournament with a 51-29 win over the Kanab Cowgirls Saturday at the Sevier Valley Center. Kaytee Glover had 13 points in the loss for Kanab.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Mahmoud Diop had 18 points and nine boards and the Wasatch Academy Tigers earned fifth place in the 2A state boys’ tournament with a 70-42 rout of the Waterford Ravens at the Sevier Valley Center Saturday. Ben White had 13 points in the loss for Waterford.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Morgan Okerlund had 12 points and the North Sevier Lady Wolves placed third in the 2A state tournament with a 34-27 win over North Summit Saturday at the Sevier Valley Center. McKell Richins had 9 points in the loss for the Lady Braves.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Devin Cluff had 19 points and six boards and the Manti Templars outlasted the South Summit Wildcats, 49-48 Saturday in the 2A consolation bracket to take third place at the Sevier Valley Center. Matt Rydalch had 12 points in the loss for South Summit.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Morgan Hoyt posted 14 points and the Valley Buffaloes bested Diamond Ranch, 60-35 to place fifth in the Region 20 tournament Saturday at Canyon View High School. With a 50-48 win over Piute, Wayne won the Region 20 tournament championship, and will be the #1 seed from the Region at the 1A state tournament which starts Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center. Additionally, Panguitch downed Bryce Valley, 58-53 to finish third in Region 20 while Piute and Bryce Valley are 2nd and 4th, respectively.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Jamen Miller had 19 points and the Manti Templars bested the Beaver Beavers, 51-39 Thursday at the 2A state tournament at the Sevier Valley Center. Michael Roberts had 17 points to lead the Beavers in the loss.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Race Parsons amassed 30 points and the South Sevier Rams used a late surge to outlast Waterford, 57-49 Thursday at the Sevier Valley Center in the 2A state quarterfinals. The Rams next face Manti Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Ben White’s 25 points led the Ravens in defeat.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Tyler Anderson had 14 points and 12 boards while Jordan Kemp posted 16 points as the Richfield Wildcats decimated the Wasatch Academy Tigers, 58-41 at the Sevier Valley Center in Thursday’s 2A state quarterfinals. Cody John had 19 points in defeat for Wasatch Academy.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Bonner Mitchell posted 20 points and 11 boards while Brad Richins added 15 more as the South Summit Wildcats downed the Emery Spartans, 56-47 Thursday at the 2A state quarterfinals at the Sevier Valley Center. South Summit next faces Richfield Friday evening at 9:10 p.m. Dallon Cologie had 19 points in the loss for Emery.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Macail Wood had 14 points and seven boards as the Beaver Lady Beavers stymied the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs, 46-27 Thursday in the 2A state quarterfinals at the Sevier Valley Center. Madee Christenson had 12 points in the loss for Gunnison.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Samantha Nichols and Susie Stephens had nine points apiece and the North Summit Lady Braves upset Richfield, 40-38 Thursday in the 2A state quarterfinals at the Sevier Valley Center. Megan Bean had 16 points and eight rebounds in the loss for Richfield, while Sloane Roundy added 11 more for the Lady Wildcats. North Summit next faces Beaver Friday at 12:50 p.m. in the semifinals.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Kelsey Barney led the way with 13 points as the North Sevier Lady Wolves advanced into the 2A state semifinals with a 40-32 win over the Kanab Cowgirls Thursday at the Sevier Valley Center. Shaylee McDonald had 8 points in defeat for Kanab.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Ryley Lyman had 9 points and 10 boards and the Enterprise Lady Wolves outlasted South Summit, 38-33 Thursday to advance to the 2A semifinals at the Sevier Valley Center. Alisha Davis had 15 points and seven boards in the loss for the Lady Wildcats.

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP)-Deshon Brown led the way with 19 points and the Dixie Flyers downed the Delta Rabbits, 52-43 Thursday at the 3A state quarterfinals at Dixie State College. Kaden Nielson had 15 points to lead Delta in defeat.

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP)-Tessa Bradford amassed 16 points and the Juab Lady Wasps advanced to the 3A semifinals against Juan Diego with a 51-38 win at Dixie State College Thursday. Juab meets Snow Canyon Friday at 12:50 p.m.

TROPIC, Utah (AP)-Jake Pearson had 18 points as the Bryce Valley Mustangs stymied Escalante, 70-42 Thursday in the Region 20 tournament. The Mustangs next meet Wayne Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Canyon View High School in Cedar City. Kyler Nelson had 13 points for the Moquis in the loss.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)-Dalan Bennett’s 20 points led the way as the Panguitch Bobcats smacked the Milford Tigers, 57-25 Thursday in the Region 20 tournament. Panguitch next faces Piute at 6:00 p.m. Friday at Canyon View High School.

JUNCTION, Utah (AP)-Cash Newby stepped up with 18 points and the Piute Thunderbirds pounded Diamond Ranch, 73-49 in the Region 20 tournament Thursday. Tyler Dalton added 16 more points in the rout for Piute.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)-Ty Rees amassed 22 points and the Wayne Badgers bested Valley, 57-48 Thursday in the Region 20 tournament. Colby Spencer led all scorers with 23 points in the loss for the Buffaloes.

Don’t be surprised if you see more guns and badges while driving around the Four Corners area. The Department of Homeland Security is beefing-up security there to crack-down on drug cartel activity. Lieutenant Bruce Holiday with the Farmington, New Mexico Police Department says drug and gang-related activity is quickly increasing in the area. With the feds now involved, prison sentences will be a lot stiffer. The Four Corners region is made up of the Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona borders.

Provo Police are warning the public a sexual assault suspect is still on the loose. They posted flyers along the Provo River Trail yesterday asking people to be on the look out for a potential suspect. Police officials are also hoping people will come forward with more clues to who the man may be. More officers are also patrolling the trail with the hopes of stopping another assault.

A suspect wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of his ex-wife in California is dead after a police standoff on the I-15 in Beaver. Police say they tried to stop a Saturn being driven by Russell Scott Goldberg, when he took off leading them on a short chase. Officers were able to stop Goldberg with a spike strip, but he refused to get out of the car. A couple of hours later, officers realized he had shot himself in the head. Goldberg’s ex-wife was found dead after relatives in New York asked California authorities to do a welfare check on her. She leaves behind two children.

The family of missing West Valley City mom Susan Cox Powell is meeting with Washington state lawmakers to push for reforms in the state’s Department of Social and Health Services. Chuck Cox says he wants to know why officials ignored red flags pertaining to Josh Powell and visitation with his sons, Charlie and Braden. Chuck and Judy Cox will be at the Washington state capitol talking with Senator Pam Roach, who is demanding an investigation into the Powell custody case. Josh Powell is accused of blowing up his home with him and the two boys inside, killing all of them.

Utah is one legislative step closer to taking sex education out of public schools. The state House of Representatives approved a bill yesterday to allow school districts to not have sex education classes. The bill also says the only allowable sex ed classes would be those that teach abstinence only. The bill passed on a 45-28 vote, with eleven Republicans joining all 17 Democrats voting against the measure, which now goes to the Senate.

The death certificate for Josh Powell is being released. It shows Powell was cremated last Friday and lists the cause of death as carbon monoxide poisoning. There is no word on where his remains will be buried. Originally his family wanted to bury him in the same cemetery as his two sons but after public outrage they changed their mind. Powell is accused of blowing up his Washington state home with his two sons inside because he could not have full custody of them. He was also the main person of interest in the missing person case of his wife, Susan Cox-Powell who disappeared in 2009.

Utah’s projected budget surplus has some lawmakers thinking about tax cuts. Republican Representative John Dougall of American Fork wants to cut the state income tax by one-percent. Dougall’s House Bill 299 also calls for a similar cut in Utah’s sales tax. Dougall’s tax cuts would easily eat up all of the state’s 400-million dollar projected surplus.

A popular Salt Lake Valley attraction is moving to a permanent home. The Living Planet Aquarium has finally worked out the public-private financing package it’s been after since it opened eight years ago. That’s opening the way for the aquarium to build a permanent facility on South Lone Peak Parkway in Draper. The popular attraction has outgrown successive locations in Salt Lake City and Sandy since opening in 2004. Living Planet marketing director Angie Hyde says, “We’re moving pretty fast, hoping to break ground in April and open in late spring 2013.”

An avalanche warning is in place after a snowmobiler had a close call with a slide. Officials with the Utah Avalanche Center are saying a snowmobiler was very lucky when he used a tree to save himself during an avalanche in the Beaver Creek area. Drew Hardesty says the mountains in northern and central Utah are especially dangerous because of strong winds and more snowfall.

Morocco’s Ambassador to the U.S. will share his perspective on the wave of demonstrations and protests that are changing governments across the Middle East. Ambassador Rachad Bouhlal will speak on the “Arab Spring” tomorrow at BYU. He’ll speak in the Lee Library Auditorium tomorrow afternoon at 2.

(Utah) State Legislative leaders continue to consider bills and budgets that will affect the state’s colleges and universities. The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee has concluded their recommendations for funding and has passed those on to the Appropriations Subcommittee. Their recommendations include $32 million dollars in on-going funding and five million dollars in one time money. The Infrastructure Subcommittee has also recommended several projects for state funding. Those projects include an Arts and Education building at USU-CEU at a cost of $23.8 million dollars, and $12.3 million dollars to remodel the Science Building at Snow College. The projects are not guaranteed to be funded due to state bonding limits, but it’s possible that some of the funding could come from the state’s one time and surplus money.

Brighton Ski Resort is hosting a class that could save your life. It’s called “Backcountry 101—An Avalance Awareness and Backcountry Skills Course.” The course focuses on decision-making, using Avalance Center forecasts, route selection and safe-travel practices, “red flag” indicators of avalanche danger, and rescue techniques. The Brighton ski patrol and Utah Avalanche Center will teach the class tomorrow and Thursday at Brighton.

The state is tightening the rules on how cities and counties use their beer tax revenue. The Utah Substance Abuse Advisory Council controls the way the tax is distributed. By law the money must be spent on stopping crimes connected to alcohol and overdrinking.

One of the world’s best bobsledders, who happens to be from Park City, continues to capture gold. Steven Holcomb won the gold medal in the two-man competition on Sunday. It happened at the Bobsled World Championship in Lake Placid, New York. Holcomb is the first American bobsledder to win gold in the two-man competition at the world championship. He’s no newcomer to the gold medal podium. At the 2010 Olympic Winter Games In Vancouver Holcomb delivered the U.S. its first Olympic gold medal in four-man competition since 1948.

Utah’s state lawmakers are projecting a budget surplus around 400-million dollars. Precise numbers are expected to be released tomorrow. What we know for sure is the overall budget is around 13-billion dollars. Earlier estimates projected a 200-million dollar surplus. The overage is small when measured against the total budget. But, it marks the first time in several years of Utah having positive cash-flow.

Things are getting back to normal at the Cottonwood Heights recreation center. A natural gas leak caused the center to be evacuated yesterday afternoon. Fire officials say they found a large amount of snow had fallen from the roof onto the natural gas pipe, causing it to crack. Questar Gas crews turned the gas off and repaired the damaged pipe.

An American Fork man is defending his gun rights after he was cited for disorderly conduct by police. Spencer Bergon says a women called police after seeing him with guns at the Walmart store he manages. He says he stopped by the Walmart before a target shooting trip to pick up ammunition and a pallet to shoot at. Bergon noticed to women driving by his car and knew she had called police. Officers questioned Bergon for two hours and then cited him for disorderly conduct with no explanation why. Bergon has no past criminal record and plans to fight the ticket.

Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman is still paying for his run for the White House, a month after folding his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. Huntsman’s former campaign reported yesterday it still owes more than five-million dollars. When he got out of the race last month, Huntsman’s campaign organization owed more than two and-a-half-million dollars to consultants and fundraisers, and a similar amount that Huntsman personally loaned to the campaign. Former campaign manager Matt David says, quote, “The governor will cover the debts with a combination of fundraising and personal funds.”

Elizabeth Smart is a happy newlywed. She married Matthew Gilmour Saturday afternoon in Hawaii. “People” magazine reports the newlyweds, who met while doing Mormon missionary work in Paris, will honeymoon at an undisclosed location then will return to Salt Lake City to live. Smart became a household name after she was kidnapped from her Salt Lake City home in 2002. She was 14 years old at the time. She was held by Brian David Mitchell and his wife for nine months before being rescued.

Utah’s Pioneer Days celebration is in court. The nonprofit group that runs the annual Days of ‘47 celebration is suing former rodeo chairman Brad Harmon, accusing him of trying to take over the rodeo. Days of ‘47, Incorporated accuses Harmon of taking money, equipment, contacts, trademarks and sponsors it says rightfully belong to the group that’s run the Pioneer Days celebration since 1943. Days of ‘47 fired Harmon earlier this month.

Washington child welfare authorities are releasing documents in connection with the Josh Powell investigation. In the hundreds of documents, it shows the detail of a psychological evaluation of Powell. The report shows Powell was diagnosed with adjustment disorder and he had traits of narcissistic personality disorder. Powell had been denied custody of his kids for another six months and ordered to take a polygraph and psycho sexual evaluation a week before he killed himself and his kids in a home explosion in Washington state.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Katie Berry had 21 points and the St. Joseph Lady Jayhawks advanced to the 1A state championship with a 63-41 win over the Piute Lady Thunderbirds in Friday’s semifinals at the Sevier Valley Center. Kierra Gleave had 16 points in the loss for Piute.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Courtney Lamborn and Tristin Bowers had 10 points apiece as the Rich Lady Rebels advanced to Saturday’s 1A state championship with a 46-33 win over the Wayne Lady Badgers. Darci Clark had 13 points in the loss for Wayne.

EPHRAIM, Utah (AP)-Chansey Caldwell and Braylie Peterson had 10 points apiece as the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs hammered the Waterford Ravens, 46-18 Friday at the 2A girls play-in tournament.

EPHRAIM, Utah (AP)-Brittney Blackner led the way with 11 points and the Beaver Lady Beavers downed the South Sevier Lady Rams, 43-27 at the 2A girls play-in tournament Friday. Shantae Dustin had 11 points in the loss for South Sevier. Beaver next faces Gunnison Thursday at 4:10 p.m. at the Sevier Valley Center in the 2A quarterfinals.

EPHRAIM, Utah (AP)-Megan Bean had 14 points and six boards and Sloane Roundy added 13 points and six rebounds as the Richfield Lady Wildcats smacked the Millard Lady Eagles, 66-43 Friday at the 2A girls play-in tournament. Jaisha Wilcox had 12 points in defeat for Millard.

EPHRAIM, Utah (AP)-Susie Stephens posted 15 points and 10 boards as the North Summit Lady Braves stymied American Leadership, 50-36 Friday at the 2A girls play-in tournament. North Summit next meets Richfield Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

EPHRAIM, Utah (AP)-Calli Jackson led the way with 18 points and 13 rebounds as the Kanab Cowgirls pummeled the San Juan Lady Broncos, 53-33 at the 2A girls play-in tournament Friday. Kaytee Glover added 14 more points in the win for Kanab.

EPHRAIM, Utah (AP)-Bailey Sorensen and Kelsey Barney had 11 points apiece and the North Sevier Lady Wolves pummeled Maeser, 55-36 Friday at the 2A girls play-in tournament. North Sevier next faces Kanab Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the 2A state quarterfinals.

EPHRAIM, Utah (AP)-Alisha Lewis led the way with 17 points and the South Summit Lady Wildcats bested the Manti Lady Templars, 46-35 Friday at the 2A girls play-in tournament. Mandee Christensen had 13 points and six boards in the loss for Manti.

EPHRAIM, Utah (AP)-Ryley Lyman had 11 points and the Enterprise Lady Wolves bested the Emery Lady Spartans, 36-27 to advance to the 2A state quarterfinals in a 2A girls play-in game Friday. Enterprise next faces South Summit Thursday evening at 9:10 p.m.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Micheala Hughes had 26 points and the Green River Lady Pirates lived to play another day by advancing in the 1A consolation bracket with a 62-43 win over Layton Christian Friday at the Sevier Valley Center. Shayla Simpson had 15 points in the loss for the Lady Eagles. Green River will play Panguitch for fifth place Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Carly Holman’s 18 points led the way as the Panguitch Lady Bobcats bested Manila, 41-34 Friday at the Sevier Valley Center in the 1A consolation bracket. Kaylee Hughes had nine points in the loss for the Lady Mustangs.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Whitni Syrett amassed 30 points and the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs advanced in the 1A consolation bracket with a 59-46 win over Whitehorse at the Sevier Valley Center Friday. Bryce Valley will face Milford for sixth place Saturday at 12:00 p.m.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Kennedy Netto had 19 points and the Milford Lady Tigers edged Monument Valley, 48-45 Friday at the Sevier Valley Center. Destinee Holiday had 19 points in the loss for the Lady Cougars.

GARLAND, Utah (AP)-Angela Burton had 14 points but it wasn’t enough as the Delta Lady Rabbits fell 40-39 to the Bear River Lady Bears Friday in the 3A girls state playoffs. Bear River next meets Snow Canyon Thursday at 4:10 p.m. in the 3A quarterfinals at Dixie State College.

NEPHI, Utah (AP)-Kobe Farrer posted 19 points and the Juab Lady Wasps stymied Stansbury 56-32 in the 3A girls state playoffs Friday. Juab next meets Juan Diego Thursday at 5:50 p.m. at Dixie State College in the 3A quarterfinals.

Climbing routes on cliffs used by nesting Peregrine Falcons in Zion National Park will be temporarily closed beginning March 1, in order to protect the nesting success of this bird which is in recovery from “endangered species” status. The closing date is based on analysis of information collected from 2001-2011 regarding the peregrines’ arrival time to their nesting cliffs in the park.

The following cliffs will be closed to climbing beginning March 1. Angels Landing, Cable Mountain, The Great White Throne, Isaac, The Sentinel, Mountain of the Sun, North Twin Brother, Tunnel Wall, the East Temple, Mount Spry, The Streaked Wall, Mount Kinesava, and the Middle Fork of Taylor Creek. All other cliffs will remain open to climbing.

Zion National Park is home to a high concentration of breeding Peregrine Falcons each spring and summer. These magnificent birds of prey were listed as an “endangered species” in 1970 under the Endangered Species Act.

A person of interest in the slaying of a Mt. Pleasant couple has been ordered to stand trial in Nevada in connection with a New Year’s Eve carjacking attempt. After two days of testimony in an Elko Nevada courthouse, Logan Welles McFarland was bound on charges including kidnapping and larceny. According to charges, McFarland and Angela Marie Hill were involved in a carjacking outside a West Wendover casino.

Hill, who also goes by the name Angela Atwood, faces an additional charge of attempted murder. Prosecutors allege she fired the shot that lodged into the back of Rattana Keomanivong who survived the attack.

Both Atwood and Hill have been called persons of interest in the slaying of Leroy and Doratha Fullwood, who were found slain in their Mt. Pleasant home on the morning of Dec. 31.

The Powell family is deciding to not bury Josh next to his sons. Kiirsi Hellewell is pleased with this news. Josh’s mother, Terrica, released a statement saying, quote, “We have tried so hard to be loving and considerate and respectful in making Josh’s burial arrangements. We love our little Charlie and Braden and want their resting place to be a place of peace and comfort.” When the Powell family had inquired about purchasing a plot near the boys, a Washington state group called Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County bought the surrounding plots to stop the Powells. Josh Powell is being blamed for blowing up his house, killing himself and the two little boys.

It will probably cost more to turn on the lights before this year is over. Rocky Mountain Power is asking the Public Service Commission of Utah for a nine-point-seven-percent rate increase. That works out to almost eight dollars a month more on a typical residential bill. The review process takes about eight months so any increase in electricity rates probably won’t take effect until October, at the earliest.

Two Utah doctors are joining dozens of other physicians in calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the health care act Congress passed in 2010. Joe Jarvis and Clark Newhall signed on the “friend of the court” brief filed this week. Twenty-six states, including Utah, are challenging the Act’s requirement that all Americans buy health insurance. The doctors want the court to throw out the requirement tossed out, in favor of a publicly-funded nonprofit health insurance trust to cover everyone.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Whitney Westwood had 13 points and Tori Gass added 12 more as the Piute Lady Thunderbirds bested the Panguitch Lady Bobcats, 42-35 Thursday in the quarterfinals of the 1A state tournament. Natashia Barney had 10 points in the loss for Panguitch. Piute next faces St. Joseph Friday at 6:00 p.m. in the semifinals.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Katie Berry led the way with 12 points as the St. Joseph Lady Jayhawks pummeled the Manila Lady Mustangs, 51-23 in the quarterfinals of the 1A state tournament Thursday. Janell Reed had nine points in the loss for Manila.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Haley Robins posted 16 points and the Wayne Lady Badgers shellacked the Layton Christian Lady Eagles, 63-30 Thursday in the 1A state tournament quarterfinals. Alissa Atisme had nine points in defeat for Layton Christian.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-The Rich Lady Rebels used a 29-1 run in the 3rd Quarter to earn a 55-29 win over the Green River Lady Pirates in the 1A state tournament quarterfinals Thursday. Rich next faces Wayne Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the semifinals.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Sydney Cornforth and Whitni Syrett had 18 points apiece as the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs lived to play another day by defeating Intermountain Christian 57-31 in the 1A state tournament consolation bracket. Jen Eyre had 12 points in the loss for the Lady Lions. Bryce Valley next meets Whitehorse Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Destinee Holiday had 19 points to lead the Monument Valley Lady Cougars to a 48-41 win over the Duchesne Lady Eagles in the 1A state tournament consolation bracket Thursday. Paige Ginn led all scorers with 25 points in the loss for Duchesne.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Chandler Rose had 20 points and the Milford Lady Tigers hammered the Dugway Lady Mustangs, 54-21 Thursday in the 1A state tournament consolation bracket. Nadaja Bullock had seven points in defeat for Dugway.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Celeste Lansing had 17 points as the Whitehorse Lady Raiders pounded Tintic, 58-37 in the 1A state tournament consolation bracket Thursday. McKayla Wahlberg had 14 points in the loss for the Lady Miners.

BICKNELL, Utah (AP)-Braxton Syrett amassed 23 points as the Bryce Valley Mustangs bested Wayne 73-60 Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Taylor Albrecht had 19 points in the loss for the Badgers.

ORDERVILLE, Utah (AP)-Morgan Hoyt led the way with 15 points as the Valley Buffaloes shellacked the Milford Tigers, 46-25 in Region 20 boys basketball action Thursday.

JUNCTION, Utah (AP)-Taylor Allen posted 21 points and Ty Jessen added 18 more as the Piute Thunderbirds downed Panguitch, 60-51 Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Dalan Bennett had 18 points in the loss for the Bobcats.

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food sent a letter to a Salina resident in response to concerns raised over mosquito spraying. Clark Burgess, Pesticide Program Manager Wrote “We have investigated your complaint concerning the use of the Masterline product Kontrol 4-4 in Sevier County, and find no violations that can be pursued as either state or federal pesticide violations. In our opinion the application of Kontrol 4-4 was made consistent with label directions. “Many allegations were made in your letter, of which there is no evidence to prove that a violation occurred. Much of what you stated cannot be proven by any type of investigation conducted by UDAF.”

Sen. Aaron Osmond wants every public school classroom to recite the Pledge of Allegiance every day. The South Jordan Republican also wants a student to lead the pledge each day as assigned by the teacher on a rotating basis. Currently, state law calls for elementary school students to say the pledge each day, while secondary students must do it once a week at the beginning of a day. SB223, which was introduced Wednesday, would require all public schools to recite the pledge daily.

A proponent of Utah’s first nuclear reactors urged the governor’s Energy Development Summit on Wednesday to help make his project part of the state’s future energy mixd. Nils Diaz, part of the Blue Castle nuclear plant executive team, said Gov. Gary Herbert correctly credited cheap energy for making Utah great. The day-long energy development program was set to touuh on such issues as how to develop the state’s energy resources while keeping the air celan, tapping into oil shale, promoting renewables, energy efficiency for businesses and other timely topics. Herber, who has named energy as on of his top priorities, gave the opening address. Diaz made his remarks as part of an update on the 3,000-megawatt plant, which is planned for a site near the town of Green River. He noted that the cost of licensing and preparing the site for construction will be between $100 and $200 million, with construciton costs estimated at between $13 billion and $16 billion, a sum greater than the estimated cost of running the entire state government for a year. He said construction probably would not begin for another year.

Utah’s House of Representatives says companies that hire homeless people deserve a tax break. The House has passed a measure calling for a credit of up to a thousand dollars for every homeless person a company hires. Salt Lake City Democrat Brian King sponsored the bill, which now goes to the Senate. King says the bill aims to help people living in transitional housing who are trying to get back to work.

People who defraud their family and friends are like child molesters, according to an LDS Church spokesman. Church public affairs managing director Michael Otterson told a gathering in Salt Lake City yesterday that “Perpetrators of affinity fraud, like child molesters, are predators who exploit one of the things we value most: the trust that makes our communities what they are.” Otterson spoke at a half-day event titled Fraud College which was organized to fight the growing problem of fraud in Utah, particularly affinity fraud, defined as defrauding through a common bond such as friendship, ethnic or religious affiliation. The state Division of Securities and the FBI say Utahns have lost about two-billion dollars to scams over the past two years.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Darri Frandsen had 25 points and Carly Holman added 16 more as the Panguitch Lady Bobcats bested Monument Valley, 52-41 Wednesday at the 1A state tournament at the Sevier Valley Center. Destinee Holiday had 20 points in the loss for the Lady Cougars. Panguitch next meets Piute in the quarterfinals Thursday at 4:00 p.m.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Shaylee Gleave led the way with 20 points and the Piute Lady Thunderbirds smacked the Duchesne Lady Eagles, 50-30 at the 1A state tournament Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center. Paige Ginn had 15 points in the loss for Duchesne.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Katie Berry had 16 points and the St. Joseph Lady Jayhawks got past Milford, 29-23 Wednesday at the 1A state tournament at the Sevier Valley Center. St. Joseph faces Manila in the quarterfinals Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Rebecca Collett posted 14 points and the Manila Lady Mustangs stormed past the Dugway Mustangs, 45-30 at the 1A state tournament at the Sevier Valley Center Wednesday.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Sarah Taylor led the way with 27 points as the Wayne Lady Badgers pummeled the Whitehorse Lady Raiders, 70-42 Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center at the 1A state tournament. Wayne next meets Layton Christian in the quarterfinals Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Alissa Atisme amassed 35 points as the Layton Christian Lady Eagles hammered Tintic, 57-38 at the Sevier Valley Center at the 1A state tournament Wednesday. Kendra Wahlberg had 12 points in defeat for the Lady Miners.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Michaela Hughes had 17 points and Megan Hatt added 16 more as the Green River Lady Pirates ousted Intermountain Christian, 51-40 Wednesday at the 1A state tournament. Abby Moore had 16 points in defeat for the Lady Lions. Green River next faces Rich in the quarterfinals Thursday at 8:30 p.m.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Courtney Lamborn keyed a balanced scoring attack with 13 points as the Rich Lady Rebels stymied the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs, 46-32 at the 1A state tournament Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center. Whitni Syrett had 16 points in the loss for Bryce Valley.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)-Wesley Austin had 16 points and 10 boards and the Rowland Hall-St. Mark’s Winged Lions downed Maeser Prep, 44-27 Wednesday in a 2A state play-in game. Rowland Hall next meets Wasatch Academy Saturday at 5:00 p.m. at Snow College.

Thousands of pure white snow and Ross’ geese will take to the skies during the annual Utah Snow Goose Festival held Feb. 24-26. The festival will be held at and near Gunnison Bend Reservoir, just west of Delta. Admission is free.

The geese feed in the fields that surround the reservoir in the early morning and then fly back to the reservoir around 10:30 a.m. After a few hours on the reservoir, they take off again, turning the sky white, and fly back to the fields.

The City of Richfield is one of 19 finalists for the Joining Forces Community Challenge. Joining Forces is a national initiative to support and honor America’s service members and their families. The initiative aims to educate, challenge, and spark action from all sectors of our society—citizens, communities, schools, nonprofits, faith-based institutions, and government—to ensure military families have the support they have earned.

Finalists are currently profiled on challenge.gov where the public has the opportunity to vote for their favorite, which will be the people’s choice award. Public voting and additional judging will take place until March 16. The public can vote by going to joiningforces.challenge.gov and selecting their favorite finalist. The White House will announce a winner on March 31.

(SALT LAKE CITY)-Earlier this month, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints general authority Elder Richard J. Maynes of the Quorum of the Seventy was called to serve in the Presidency of the Seventy, according to www.mormonnewsroom.org.

Elder Maynes will fill in the vacancy created by Elder Steven E. Snow, who is now the Church historian while in this new calling, Elder Maynes is expected to assist his fellow members of the Presidency in testifying of Christ while supervising in priesthood matters throughout the U.S. and Canada.

At the time of his new calling, Elder Maynes was serving as Executive Director of the Church’s Family History department while he has previously served as a member of the area presidency in the Philippines as well as a second counselor in the Sunday School’s general presidency.

He was initially sustained as a member of the First Quorum of Seventy on March 31, 2001.

In a letter addressed to all LDS general authorities, the Church’s First Presidency commended these Brethren on their faithful service and look forward to serving with them in their new responsibilities.

Security screening is now less of a hassle for some travelers at Salt Lake International Airport. The Transportation Security Administration launched its pre-screening initiative known as TSA PreCheck yesterday at Utah’s biggest airport. It allows certain Delta Air Lines frequent flyers and other preapproved passengers to leave on their shoes and belts and keep their laptops in the cases when they go through security.

The massive landslide that buried a 2,000-foot strip of State Road 14 eight miles outside of Cedar City and closed a major asphalt artery to U.S. Highway 89, could be cleared enough by June to allow traffic to resume, according to the Utah Department of Transportation.

UDOT will host a public open house on the cause of the slide and the $10 million repair project on Feb. 23 in Cedar City. Officials will discuss future alignment options for the road, which is in an area with a history of landslides. UDOT spokesman Kevin Kitchen said Monday that officials hope to have traffic moving through the slide area by early June.

The slide occurred on Oct. 8, cutting off a major access to popular Cedar Mounatin, where areas around the Dixie National Forest are peppered with private homes and recreational properties supported by a strong Las Vegas contingent. The slide contained enough material to fill 40,000 dump trucks or 122 Olympic-size simming pools.

Josh Powell was not living in the home he used to murder his two boys and kill himself. Pierce County, Washington sheriff officials say Powell used the home as a ruse so he could have visitation with Charlie and Braden. They say he staged the home with family photos to trick Child Protective Services into thinking it was a stable environment. Officials are also saying Powell gave 65-hundred dollars to his sister, leaving her instructions to pay bills with it and give the rest to his lawyer. Police met with residents who live near the explosion, Monday night to help them make sense of the terrible incident.

Steven Powell is refusing to help West Valley City police in the disappearance of Susan Cox Powell. Josh’s father filed paperwork in Washington state on Sunday stating he will not speak or cooperate with police in any way. Steven is invoking his 5th amendment right to not say a word about the case. The filing comes one week after Josh murdered his two boys and killed himself in a house explosion.

(Utah) This past week was a good one for higher education as the State Legislature considered and passed a number of bills. Two of the bills under consideration would improve education opportunities for veterans and members of the military. The Higher Education Luncheon was also held on Friday and was attended by over 70 members of the Legislature. The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee also heard presentations from several college presidents including Snow College President Scott Wyatt. The Subcommittee will finalize budget recommendations this week and will forward them to the Executive Appropriations Subcommittee and then to the full Legislature.

Ephraim City experienced power bumps on Sunday morning between 9am and 11am. Ephraim City power explained that there was a bad insulator on a tap line to Fairview, which made the Jerueselem substation have power bumps. These power bumps affected the Ephraim City line, so power was off and on up to 10 times during that two hour time frame. Workers have fixed the insulator so there should be no more exissting problems.

The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is “concerned with the decreasing attendance” at Utah’s precinct caucus meetings, and the leaders are directing local leaders to make it easier for church members to attend the caucuses next month. The three-member First Presidency is asking local leaders not to schedule meetings on March 13th and 15th, when the caucuses will be held. The First Presidency said in a letter to congregations that the caucuses “are best served by a broad representation of Utah citizens.”

Police are investigating a possible suicide after a teen was hit and killed by a TRAX train. Witnesses told officers the 17-year-old boy stepped directly in front of the train near 86-hundred South and 32-hundred West. That is the same intersection where a girl was killed last June. After her accident, the UTA removed sound walls and added safety features. Witnesses also say all the new safety features were working to warn the boy not to cross.

Forty-percent of Utah’s voter registrations have significant problems. That’s what research by the Pew Center on the States found. Researchers say Utah’s problems are much more common than the national average, but that Utah is one of the few states trying to fix what Pew calls “inaccurate, costly and inefficient” registration systems. Common problems include duplicate registrations for the same person, more than one address for the same person, and dead people on voter rolls.

Some investigators believe the father of the man who killed his two sons in a Washington state house explosion may have information about the disappearance of Susan Cox Powell. Denise Cox, Powell’s sister, says she’s not willing to make a deal with Steven Powell if it means he gets out of jail. Steven is behind bars on charges of child porn and voyeurism. His son Josh Powell was considered a person of interest in Susan’s disappearance. Josh blew up his house last week, killing himself and his seven and five-year-old sons.

Richfield’s support for military families has the central Utah community in consideration for White House honors. Richfield is the only municipality among the 20 finalists for the national Joining Forces Community Challenge. The challenge launched last summer by First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, the vice president’s wife, celebrates people and organizations that help improve the lives of military families. Internet voting will decide a people’s choice winner on March 16th and judges will pick five other winners, who will be honored at the White House.

NEPHI, Utah (AP)-Rhett Bird led the way with 19 points as the North Sanpete Hawks smacked Juab, 45-29 Friday in Region 12 boys basketball action. Brayden Kaae paced the Wasps with eight points in defeat.

FILLMORE, Utah (AP)-Jesse Rhodes stepped up with 19 points as the Millard Eagles edged Beaver, 50-46 in Region 13 boys basketball action Friday. Dallon Blackner led all scorers with 20 points in defeat for the Beavers.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Austin Clark and Race Parsons had 18 points apiece and the South Sevier Rams overpowered the Richfield Wildcats, 51-41 Friday in Region 15 boys basketball action. Jordan Kemp led the way with 19 points in the loss for Richfield.

SALINA, Utah (AP)-Austin Piep had 15 points and the North Sevier Wolves pummeled American Leadership, 63-48 in Region 16 boys basketball action Friday.

ENTERPRISE, Utah (AP)-Brett Schill posted 21 points and eight boards as the Enterprise Wolves surged past the Kanab Cowboys, 63-52 Friay in Region 13 boys basketball action.

PRICE, Utah (AP)-Clay Finkbiner amassed 22 points and the Carbon Dinos edged the Delta Rabbits, 64-60 in Region 12 boys basketball action Friday. Taylor Bahr had 20 points in the loss for Delta.

GUNNISON, Utah (AP)-Brady Aste had 12 points and Jayson Cole added 11 more to lead the Manti Templars to a 64-51 rout over Gunnison Friday in Region 16 boys basketball action. Braden Harris and Colby Caldwell had 12 points apiece in defeat for the Bulldogs.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Haley Robins posted 18 points and the Wayne Lady Badgers won the Region 20 girls tournament with a 58-51 win over Piute Friday at Canyon View High School. Kierra Gleave led all scorers with 21 points in the loss for the Lady Thunderbirds. The 1A state tournament starts Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center.

CEDAR CITY, Utah (AP)-Carly Holman had 11 points and Catania Holman added 10 more as the Panguitch Lady Bobcats downed the Valley Lady Buffaloes, 40-33 in the Region 20 girls tournament Friday. Brittney Frost had 12 points in the loss for the Lady Buffs.

The Southern Utah International Documentary Film Festival is one of the nation’s best small-town documentary festivals for 2012, according to the Public Broadcasting System. PBS is honoring DOCUTAH as a festival that escapes the crowds, paparazzi and hype. The 12 winners had to be in cities with populations below 100-thousand. DOCUTAH is hosted by Dixie State College of St. George this year. It runs from September fifth through the ninth in St. George and Kanab.

Former Republican presidential candidate and Utah Governor Jon Huntsman will sit on the Ford Motor Company board of directors. Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford says, quote, “Jon brings to Ford’s board of directors extensive global knowledge and experience, particularly in Asia with trade issues.” The 51-year-old Huntsman is currently the chairman of the Utah-based Huntsman Cancer Foundation. He also served as U.S. Ambassador to China.

A judge is approving a Utah death row inmate’s execution by firing squad. The judge signed the death warrant for 49-year-old Michael Anthony Archuleta. He’s scheduled to die by firing squad on April 5th. However, Achuleta’s attorney says his client still has appeal options in federal court. Archuleta was convicted in 1989 of killing 28-year-old Gordon Ray Church the year before. Prosecutors say Archuleta and another man connected battery cables to Church’s testicles. They then used a car battery to electrocute Church. Prosecutors say the men then beat Church with a car jack, raped him with a tire iron, and buried him in a shallow grave.

Because of changes that have been made in regard to deer hunting, the Department of Workforce Services will be holding 2 open houses in Southern Utah with the intent of informing the public of the changes. The Sevier County Office building will host one of the open houses on February 22 at 5:00pm.

The State split the 5 deer hunting units into 30 smaller units, changing how deer hunters apply for deer hunts. Vance Mummford from the DWS says the open house will answer any questions hunters may have.

March 1st in the deadline to apply for the deer. February 23rd is the deadline for bear hunting. You can learn more at wildlife.utah.gov.

Mummford also says the state has made a big push this year to stop poaching around the state. A local case was found when a buck dear was shot and killed, the antlers removed, and the carcass dumped under an underpass on the West side of Richfield.

To contact the DWS with any information on this case or any other poaching insident, call 1-800-662-deer.

A year after being threatened with loss of general funds and park closures, Utah State Parks received high marks from legislators and auditors Tuesday at a budget hearing. Under the current plan, the agency’s budget would remain the same next year. Though much of the agency’s budget will be supported by user fees, State Parks would receive $4 million in general funds and an additional $2.8 million from one-time restricted funds. No parks are slated for closure. The only major park user fee increase proposed would be an approximate 10 percent jump in golf green fees that will add between $1 and $1.50 for the cost of nine holes, plus an increase of $1 for each nine holes per golf cart. If passed by the full legislature, these increases would go into effect July 1st.

Elementary schools could ask parents to provide classroom supplies, voluntarily, under a bill the House passed unanimously. The measure has come up in one form or another in each of the past three sessions. It would allow teachers to give parents a list of suggested supplies, and parents could opt out for any reason. The list would make it clear that providing supplies would be voluntary and that schools will furnish the supplies at no charge if the parents don’t provide them.

(ST. GEORGE)-Tuesday morning, the Washington County 911 Dispatch Center confirmed communications manager Jeff Dial died from undisclosed medical complications.

The announcement came via St. George assistant city manager Marc Mortensen, stating the 56-year-old Dial played an active role in facilitating emergency communications during the Interstate 15 standoff near Hurricane Monday which shut down the freeway for nine hours.

Afterward, Dial complained of experiencing pains and was subsequently transported to the Dixie Regional Medical Center of St. George.

Mortensen said Dial’s death is a “huge loss for the city,” calling him “Mr.911,” and that he will be remembered for the good things he did in expanding emergency communications throughout southern Utah.

Dial is survived by his wife, Sherri, his children, Jeffrey Bryan, Christopher Michael, Patrick James and Jennifer Joy as well as three grandchildren and five siblings.

Funeral services will occur this Saturday, February 11, at the Santa Clara LDS Stake Center, located at 1706 Desert Dawn Drive, Santa Clara, while a viewing will occur at Metcalf Mortuary in St. George on Friday evening, February 10, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

After the services at the Santa Clara chapel, interment will occur at Tonaquint Cemetery, in northwestern St. George.

(SAN FRANCISCO)-Tuesday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints expressed disappointment with the decision made concerning the decision on controversial bill Proposition 8 by a federal appeals court in California.

The Church’s official statement asserts the decision is regrettable and on two occasions, California voters have determined on two occasions that marriage should only be recognized as being between “one man and one woman,” and the Church still shares this view.

The statement also implies courts should not alter this definition, especially since Californian voters have spoken definitively on this matter thus far.

The Church recognizes that the decision in question represents the progression of what has been a “vigorous” debate in the public square to define the institution of marriage and that assuredly, Tuesday’s decision will ratchet interest up in the issue nationwide.

The sister of missing Utah mother Susan Cox Powell says there were signs her husband, Josh, would do something terrible. Denise Cox says Josh was controlling. She suspects he blew up his home and killed his two boys because he was losing control. The bodies of seven-year old Charles and five-year old Braden Powell were found Sunday.

A voice mail recording may provide insight into Josh Powell’s thoughts before he allegedly killed himself and his two young sons. Investigators believe Powell caused an explosion at a house in Washington state on Sunday. That blast killed Josh Powell and his boys who had lived in Salt Lake City. ABC’s “Good Morning America” is reporting the man in the voice mail says he’s can’t live without his sons. He also says he’s sorry for everyone he hurt. Josh Powell was the main suspect in his wife, Susan Cox Powell’s, disappearance from the Salt Lake City area in 2009. She remains missing.

Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman is putting politics on the back burner. He made his first public comments to the “Salt Lake Tribune” since dropping out of the race for the White House last month. Huntsman says he’ll be serving on corporation boards, doing some guest speaking and doing some volunteer work. He says a future term isn’t out of the question, just not during this political cycle. Huntsman says he has no regrets about his campaign for the presidency.

(SYDNEY, Australia)-While Australians and New Zealanders have had the opportunity to celebrate their respective independence days in the past couple of weeks, Latter-Day Saints in the region received a special visit from Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Apostle Quentin L. Cook as well.

Elder Cook, who was traveling with Elder Tad R. Callister of the Presidency of the Seventy and Bishop Keith B. McMullin of the Church’s Presiding Bishopric, visited prominent Australian cities, Sydney and Melbourne, as well as Christchurch and Auckland, New Zealand from January 13-22.

While in these regions, the Brethren communed with members and missionaries as well as government and community leaders.

The Brethren and their wives, were also joined by Elder James J. Hamula, Elder Kevin W. Pearson and Elder F. Michael Watson, each of the Seventy as well as members of the Church’s Pacific Area presidency.

The Brethren mentioned they were pleased with the proactive service local Relief Society units were providing, especially in Christchurch, where a devastating earthquake occurred in February 2011.

Elder Cook also stated his approval of members receiving ordinances and living according to the covenants they have made.

State high school swimming took place over the weekend at BYU. Top ranked Judge Memorial dominated the girls meet, taking home the championship trophy. Richfield placed 9th overall, Emily Sheffer placed 4th in the 100 yard breaststroke.

34 year old Brady Davis of Richfield was killed in a snowmobile triggered avalanche on sunday the 5th. Davis was with a group of snowmobilers who were riding in the area of 7 mile canyon and lost creek reservoir. The avalanche was triggered at about 5:00 pm, search and rescue was notified shortly before 6:00. Davis was wearing an avalanche beacon.

Sevier County Sheriff Nate Curtis is warning all backcountry riders to be very careful, stating that the avalanche danger is very high.

PRICE, Utah (AP)-Brayden Kaae posted 19 points and Brayden Welburn added 18 more as the Juab Wasps edged Carbon, 62-59 Friday in Region 12 boys basketball action.

DELTA, Utah (AP)-Clint Bateman had 23 points and the Payson Lions smacked the Delta Rabbits, 59-47 in Region 12 boys basketball action Friday at the Palladium. Kyle Church had 20 points in defeat for Delta.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Rhett Bird keyed a balanced scoring attack with 13 points as the North Sanpete Hawks stymied the Spanish Fork Dons, 58-47 in Region 12 boys basketball action Friday.

BEAVER, Utah (AP)-Ryan West led the way with 17 points as the Enterprise Wolves outlasted the Beaver Beavers, 61-58 Friday in Region 13 boys basketball action. Michael Roberts had 21 points in defeat for Beaver.

PAROWAN, Utah (AP)-Justin Hulet amassed 31 points and the Parowan Rams humbled the Kanab Cowboys, 66-53 in Region 13 boys basketball action Friday. Conor Corry had 14 points in defeat for Kanab.

CASTLE DALE, Utah (AP)-Dawson Jensen stepped up with 23 points and the Emery Spartans downed the Richfield Wildcats, 56-49 Friday in Region 15 boys basketball action. Jordan Kemp had 17 points in the loss for Richfield.

MONROE, Utah (AP)-Race Parsons had 30 points and Austin Clark added 24 more as the South Sevier Rams decimated San Juan, 81-47 in Region 15 boys basketball action Friday.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Devin Cluff posted 18 points and the Manti Templars downed Wasatch Academy, 61-49 Friday in Region 16 boys basketball action.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Taylor Gordon amassed 23 points and Keisha Jorgensen added 17 more as the North Sanpete Lady Hawks pummeled the Spanish Fork Lady Dons, 67-52 in Region 12 girls basketball action Friday.

BLANDING, Utah (AP)-Lindsey Christensen had 15 points and the San Juan Lady Broncos clipped the South Sevier Lady Rams, 59-50 Friday in Region 15 girls basketball action. Hadley Jenen had 19 points in defeat for South Sevier.

TROPIC, Utah (AP)-Whitni Syrett posted 18 points and the Bryce Valley Lady Mustangs bested the Milford Lady Tigers, 43-32 in Region 20 girls basketball action Friday.

PANGUITCH, Utah (AP)-Natashia Barney had 11 points as the Panguitch Lady Bobcats surged past the Valley Lady Buffaloes, 49-41 Friday in Region 20 girls basketball action. Brittney Frost had 14 points in defeat for the Lady Buffs.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)-Sarah Taylor posted 19 points as the Wayne Lady Badgers stonewalled the Escalante Lady Moquis, 68-48 in Region 20 girls basketball action Friday. Darci Clark and Haley Robins added 18 points apiece for Wayne while Lindsey Phillips led all the game’s scorers with 31 points for Escalante.

A ten and half mile road in Sevier County will be built with funds recently awarded by the Permanent Community Impact Fund Board. The Quitchupah Road project was awarded a record $95 million dollars for water pipes, sewers, roads and other community projects in rural Utah. The Quitchupah Road accounted for nearly $17.4 million of the funds. The Quitchupah Road from the Sufco mine to coal fired plants in Emery County will mean about 5 million miles less wear-and-tear and fleet savings of about $2.5 million each year. Dennis O. Larsen, treasurer of the Sevier County Roads Special Service District No. 1 says it will put people to work in Sevier County building the road. Once the Army Corps of Engineers approves the project, work can begin as early as April and should be ready to use by fall of 2013.

The National Park Service says an expanded Alton coal mine will hurt Bryce Canyon’s views and tourism. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says it will likely wipe out the southern Utah area’s sage grouse population. Those are among the comments submitted to the Bureau of Land Management as it completes its environmenal review of a plan to expand the Coal Hollow Mine from private land onto BLM held tracts about 10 miles southwest of the park. Meanwhile, Kane County officials have reiterated their support for the project. The County Commission says that the mine will create at least 240 jobs and provide $1.5 billion in economic benefits to Garfield and Kane counties over 30 years.

ESCALANTE, Utah (AP)-Kaden Figgins posted 21 points and Tyce Barney added 20 more as the Panguitch Bobcats crushed the Escalante Moquis, 82-48 Thursday in Region 20 boys basketball action. Jared Noyes had 14 points in defeat for the Moquis.

TROPIC, Utah (AP)-Jake Pearson amassed 15 points and the Bryce Valley Mustangs pounded the Valley Buffaloes, 63-36 in Region 20 boys basketball action Thursday. Morgan Hoyt had 14 points in the loss for the Buffs.

PRICE, Utah (AP)-Tessa Bradford had 14 points for the Juab Lady Wasps as they edged Carbon, 51-47 in overtime Thursday in Region 12 girls basketball action.

KANAB, Utah (AP)-Whitney Houston led the way with 23 points and six boards as the Kanab Cowgirls outlasted Parowan, 48-40 in Region 13 girls basketball action Thursday. Chennin Benson posted 14 points in the loss for the Lady Rams.

RICHFIELD, Utah (AP)-Megan Bean posted 17 points and the Richfield Lady Wildcats stonewalled the Emery Lady Spartans, 59-39 Thursday in Region 15 girls basketball action.

SALINA, Utah (AP)-Morgan Okerlund had 13 points and the North Sevier Lady Wolves overpowered the Gunnison Lady Bulldogs, 48-42 in overtime in Region 16 girls basketball action Thursday. Sara Brown had 13 points in defeat for Gunnison.

ENTERPRISE, Utah (AP)-Macail Wood amassed 18 points and the Beaver Lady Beavers edged Enterprise, 43-40 Thursday in Region 13 girls basketball action. Ryley Lyman had 13 points in the loss for the Lady Wolves.

JUNCTION, Utah (AP)-Cash Newby led the way with 11 points and the Piute Thunderbirds earned a 55-48 win over the Wayne Badgers in overtime in Region 20 boys basketball action Thursday. Taylor Albrecht had 16 points in defeat for Wayne.

DELTA, Utah (AP)-TaNeil Clayton keyed a balanced scoring attack with 15 points and the Delta Lady Rabbits smacked the Payson Lady Lions, 60-44 Thursday in Region 12 girls basketball action at the Palladium.

MT. PLEASANT, Utah (AP)-Melanie Mitzvotai led the way with 18 points and the Manti Lady Templars steamrolled the Wasatch Academy Lady Tigers, 61-25 in Region 16 girls basketball action Thursday.

In addition to increasing the snowmobile registration fee to $25 in order to pay for trail maintanence costs, the current Legislation is considering increasing the fee for all offroad vehicles. Senator Ralph Okerlund says the additional fees that have been added to the bill would be used to fund emergency responses. The bill would increase registration fees for ATV’s by $3.

The Legislation is also working on a bill that says the Federal Government either needs to make Public lands available for state use or pay taxes the land. Okerlund says the tax would help fund education in Utah, which pays the highest per capita in the nation for education, yet is the lowest in the country in per pupil funding.

In light of President Obama’s recent utilization claims of appointment for power, Utah Senator Mike Lee says he will no longer support the Obama administration. Lee said the president attacked him for trying to “gum up the system,” and playing partisan politics. However, the Senator stated that if a Republican President had followed the same course of action, his response would have been the same. Senator Lee goes on to say that the President is attempting to take power that does not belong to him, but to the people, saying that the Senate can not allow the United Sates Government to become a government of one.