Utah news

• Woman who sought hitman to get money, child custody from ex sent to prison

  19-07-2017 23:50
  
  PROVO — A Spanish Fork woman has been sentenced to prison for trying to find a hitman to kill her ex-husband in order to get custody of their children and a life insurance payout.Billie Jo Agee, 46, was sentenced July 13 to up to five years in prison. She pleaded no contest last month to one count of criminal solicitation, a third-degree felony.Agee was given credit for 107 days she has served in jail so far. Court documents note that the woman has "a significant mental illness."In Februar
  
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• Governor hails 'new beginning' in Utah's water management

  19-07-2017 23:41
  
  SALT LAKE CITYFor anyone who turns on the tap and expects water to come out, there's a new "must read" fresh off the printer for Utah residents to ponder, especially in the nation's second-driest state where the population is projected to double by 2060.
  Gov. Gary Herbert on Wednesday accepted the "Recommended Water Strategy" report produced by his Water Strategy Advisory Team after more than four years of effort, thousands of donated hours, regional listening meetings in eight locations and pub
  
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• Springville restricts fireworks over 24th of July

  19-07-2017 23:26
  
  SPRINGVILLEThe City Council approved a resolution Tuesday banning all fireworks in any area west of the 400 West railroad tracks and along the tracks south as they follow U.S. 89.
  The council also banned fireworks from an area near Clyde Park, where two fires were started by fireworks on July 4th. A previous ban along the city's east bench remains in place.
  According to a press release announcing the ban, city firefighters responded to eight fireworks-related blazes in one hour on the Fourth of
  
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• Utah State Office of Rehabilitation gets new director

  19-07-2017 23:23
  
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Workforce Services has selected Sarah Brenna as the new division director of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. In this position, she will be responsible for the oversight and administration of programs serving individuals with disabilities.Prior to this new role, Brenna was associate director of Salt Lake County’s Human Services, director of its Aging & Adult Services and director of its Administrative Services. She also worked for t
  
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• U. welcomes 5 new trustees

  19-07-2017 23:21
  
  SALT LAKE CITYThe University of Utah's 10-member board of trustees welcomed five new members July 1. In addition to the regular rotation of the alumni and student body presidents, three new appointments were made to replace Lisa Eccles, Cristina Ortega and Taft Price.
  The new trustees are David Parkin, Katie Eccles, Anne-Marie Wright Lampropoulos, Joseph Sargetakis, president of the alumni association, and Zach Berger, student body president.
  Lisa Eccles and Price have completed their regular te
  
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• Jon Huntsman Jr. could face tough confirmation questions about Trump, Russia

  19-07-2017 23:17
  
  SALT LAKE CITY — Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. could be thrown some tough questions about the Trump administration's controversies involving Russia when he faces Senate Democrats at his confirmation hearing.And should the Senate confirm him as the next U.S. ambassador to Russia, the seasoned diplomat will have his hands full when he lands in Moscow.President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he will nominate Huntsman for what will be a high-profile post at time of tension between the
  
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• Roy dad pleads guilty to abusing baby who tested positive for meth, THC

  19-07-2017 23:15
  
  OGDEN — A Roy man has pleaded guilty to abusing his 5-week-old son, who in addition to physical injuries tested positive for methamphetamine and THC.Antonio Jose Tamez, 26, pleaded guilty July 13 to intentional child abuse causing serious injury, a second-degree felony, while a third-degree felony charge of child endangerment was dismissed.The investigation began last August when Tamez's 5-week-old son was taken to Primary Children's Hospital for seizures. Doctors there discovered the infa
  
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• Sex assault victims in Salt Lake County can now get information about the status of their rape kits

  19-07-2017 22:38
  
  As work continues to eliminate Utah's backlog of untested sexual assault kits, state officials announced Wednesday a new hotline and support for victims seeking updates about their cases.
  Victims who have undergone a sexual assault kit examination ha...
  
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• More West Nile virus-carrying mosquitoes found in Salt Lake County

  19-07-2017 22:38
  
  Health officials confirmed Wednesday that more mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus have been detected in several areas of Salt Lake County.
  West Nile was found in mosquitoes sampled in Sandy and Salt Lake City last week, leading county officials to c... <iframe src="http://www.sltrib.com/csp/mediapool/sites/sltrib/pages/garss.csp" height="1" width="1" > </frame>
  
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• Review shows missed compliance standards Davis County Jail

  19-07-2017 22:33
  
  FARMINGTON — Utah Department of Corrections inspectors during an annual review found the Davis County Jail to be out of compliance with some state minimum jail standards.The jail has since retained compliance, but the standards that were not met are unknown, the Standard-Examiner reported Wednesday.Jerry Pope, director of the state's prison operations division, denied requests for documentation, citing security reasons. Pope said releasing the information would reveal issues about what's g
  
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• Getaway driver in Provo gang robbery, shooting pleads guilty

  19-07-2017 22:13
  
  PROVO — The alleged getaway driver for three people accused of killing a Provo man in a gang-related robbery and shooting has pleaded guilty.Jerry Otis Hawley, 34, of Eagle Mountain, pleaded guilty July 12 to burglary and robbery, both reduced from first-degree felonies to second-degree felonies, and attempted negligent homicide, reduced from a third-degree felony to a class A misdemeanor.Hawley was originally charged with murder in the death of 24-year-old Gustavo Ramirez.The alleged gunm
  
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• West Wendover readies for marijuana dispensary, just 90-minutes' drive from Salt Lake City

  19-07-2017 22:11
  
  West Wendover is officially ready for a medical marijuana dispensary - now all the city has to do is wait for interested businesses to apply.The City Council voted 4-to-1 on Tuesday in favor of an ordinance allowing a marijuana dispensary to open w...
  
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• Utah sheriff's officer charged with animal cruelty in death of K-9 Endy

  19-07-2017 22:11
  
  The Cache County attorney's office on Wednesday charged a sheriff's deputy with recklessly causing the death of his patrol dog.Endy died of heat exhaustion after Jason Whittier, the dog's handler, left him in an unattended patrol truck July 3.
  Whit...
  
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• Newly finished 50-year water plan marks a new era, Utah governor says

  19-07-2017 22:11
  
  Gov. Gary Herbert on Wednesday heralded the completion of the state's new 50-year water management plan, a document four years in the making.
  In a public appearance with his personally-appointed, 40-member team of water of advisors, the Republican go...
  
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• Have you heard of Interstate 11? This future highway may make your trips to Vegas and Phoenix a lot easier

  19-07-2017 21:57
  
  A new highway proposal looks to link Canada and Mexico.Fox-10 out of Phoenix reported Wednesday that the proposed interstate will connect the two countries through the states of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.Plans are preliminary right now, according to FOX-10, but parts of the highway’s construction are already underway.Environmental studies will measure the impact of such a highway for two more years, FOX-10 reported.The entire highway, which you can view here, woul
  
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• West Nile virus findings prompt mosquito warning for S.L. County residents

  19-07-2017 21:40
  
  SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County residents are being warned to take precautions against mosquitos after West Nile virus was detected in multiple groups of the summertime pests.The Salt Lake County Health Department released a statement Tuesday urging residents to protect themselves against mosquito bites after multiple "mosquito pools," or groups of mosquitos caught in a trap and then tested, came up positive for the virus.Ilene Risk, the health department's epidemiology bureau manager, a
  
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• Sex assault victims have new advocate, hotline for tracking rape kits

  19-07-2017 21:12
  
  TAYLORSVILLE — Victims of sexual assault who feel they are left in the dark once their rape kit is submitted to the Utah State Crime Lab now have an advocate to keep them up to date about what's going on in their case, and to make the process more transparent.On Wednesday, members of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative announced that a hotline has been established and a new rape kit tracking system is in the works so victims can follow the progress of their kit "from collection to prosecutio
  
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• Jury finds Springville baseball coach guilty of sexually abusing player

  19-07-2017 21:05
  
  PROVO — The coach of a competition baseball team in Springville was found guilty Tuesday of sexually abusing a teenage boy he coached and employed.After a five-day trial and nearly eight hours of deliberation, a jury convicted Michael Aram Jenkins, 48, of sexually abusing the then 16-year-old boy as they regular exchanged full-body massages with little or no clothing.In a preliminary hearing last year, the teen said Jenkins would request full-body rub-downs, calling them "the regular massa
  
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• Deputy charged with animal cruelty in death of police K9

  19-07-2017 21:00
  
  LOGAN — A police K-9 that died from heat exhaustion was left in the back of a police patrol vehicle in direct sunlight for near 12 hours while his handler went to a family function, investigators say.Cache County sheriff's deputy Jason Whittier — who was the handler for police K-9 Endy — was charged Wednesday with aggravated cruelty to animals, a class B misdemeanor.The sheriff's office on Tuesday announced that Whittier, 36, had been placed on leave without pay and reassigned
  
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• Deputy charged with animal cruelty in death of police K-9

  19-07-2017 20:50
  
  LOGAN — A police K-9 that died from heat exhaustion was left in the back of a police patrol vehicle in direct sunlight for near 12 hours while his handler went to a family function, investigators say.Cache County sheriff's deputy Jason Whittier — who was the handler for police K-9 Endy — was charged Wednesday with aggravated cruelty to animals, a class B misdemeanor.The sheriff's office on Tuesday announced that Whittier, 36, had been placed on leave without pay and reassigned
  
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• UTA study: Want to boost Utah economy, health? Invest in biking, walking

  19-07-2017 20:34
  
  If government invests more to promote bicycling and walking, it would help both Utah's economy and the health of residents, according to a study conducted by the Utah Transit Authority in collaboration with 11 other transportation and health agencies...
  
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• Officer charged in death of K-9, Endy

  19-07-2017 20:34
  
  The Cache County Attorney's Office on Wednesday charged officer Jason Whittier for the death of his patrol dog.Endy died of heat exhaustion after being left in an unattended patrol truck on July 3.
  Whittier, Endy's handler, has been charged in Firs...
  
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• West Wendover approves locale for medical marijuana dispensary, now seeks interested businesses

  19-07-2017 20:27
  
  West Wendover is officially ready for a medical marijuana dispensary - now all the city has to do is wait for interested businesses to apply.The City Council voted 4-to-1 on Tuesday in favor of an ordinance allowing a marijuana dispensary to open w...
  
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• Sex assault victims in Salt Lake County can now get information about the status of their rape kit

  19-07-2017 20:15
  
  As work continues to eliminate Utah's backlog of untested sexual assault kits, state officials announced Wednesday a new hot line and support for victims seeking updates about their cases.
  Victims who have undergone a sexual assault kit examination h...
  
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• Pioneer Day celebrations in Utah 2017

  19-07-2017 20:05
  
  SALT LAKE CITY — On July 24, 1847, pioneers pulling handcarts and driving wagons pulled by oxen and horses entered the Salt Lake Valley. Utahns continue to honor the vision and courage of those early settlers with celebrations across the state. Here is a list of Pioneer Day celebrations scheduled throughout Utah, listed by county. Note: This is not an all-inclusive list.Beaver CountyBeaver: July 22 and 24, 7 p.m., rodeo at arena; July 22, dance after rodeo; July 24, 6:30 a.m., races at Tus
  
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• South Jordan mayoral candidate brings back proposal for city-owned bus line

  19-07-2017 18:49
  
  It's been seven years since South Jordan City explored a plan to create its own bus line. But mayoral candidate Rich Cunningham says the Utah Transit Authority has done little to address the city's transportation needs since 2010, so he's bringing th... <iframe src="http://www.sltrib.com/csp/mediapool/sites/sltrib/pages/garss.csp" height="1" width="1" > </frame>
  
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• SLCPD: Series of holdups, shooting, involving shotgun-toting suspect investigated

  19-07-2017 18:49
  
  Salt Lake City police are investigating whether two robberies and a shooting that occurred within little more than an hour early Wednesday morning are connected.
  SLCPD Detective Robert Ungricht said the use of a shotgun in all three incidents has inv...
  
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• Scholars ask BYU to investigate professor's ties to Hobby Lobby after artifact-smuggling scandal

  19-07-2017 18:49
  
  An anonymous group of "scholars of archaeology" is calling on Brigham Young University to investigate ties between an assistant professor of ancient scripture and Hobby Lobby, which recently become ensnared in allegations of antiquities smuggling.
  In...
  
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• Adidas makes a shoe for every state. Does Utah's make sense?

  19-07-2017 18:38
  
  Adidas decided to reach out to the entire country with its latest designs, specifically building a different sneaker for every state.Adidas worked with Refinery29 to design a running sneaker for every single state. Both partners invited 10 female artists, as well as a Refinery29 fashion editor, to build each of the shoes.Each design has been applied to the Adidas UltraBOOST X running show.The artists created “one-of-a-kind designs” that “boast illustrations inspired by the gems
  
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• With record high heat, nonprofit asking for donations of bottled water to help homeless

  19-07-2017 18:16
  
  With temperatures in Utah reaching record highs, Volunteers of America, Utah (VOAUT) is collecting bottled water to help homeless youth and adults beat the heat.
  "The hotter the weather gets, the more clients we have coming in," Jayme Anderson, the n...
  
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• Man charged with killing two Utah teens over T-shirt pleads guilty

  19-07-2017 18:12
  
  A man charged with murdering two teenagers last year during a dispute over a T-shirt has pleaded guilty.
  Mario Cervantes-Angel, 29, pleaded guilty Tuesday to two counts of first-degree felony aggravated murder for the July 6, 2016 shooting deaths of ...
  
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• A.M. notes: BYU-I instructor says she was fired over Facebook post, Trump picks Huntsman

  19-07-2017 17:44
  
  Here’s a look at the news for July 19.BYU-I instructor says she was fired over Facebook postA Brigham Young University-Idaho instructor said on Tuesday that she had been fired by the university for a Facebook post she wrote, according to the Deseret News.The Facebook post questioned The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' stance on the LGBT policy, the Deseret News reported.Ruthie Robertson, a 22-year-old political science instructor, said on June 5 that homosexuality is natural a
  
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• Utah forecast: Flash Flood Watch for most of state; 'Red Flag' flies for northwest desert

  19-07-2017 16:29
  
  A forecast for a series of thunderstorms and possibly heavy rain showers had two-thirds of Utah under a Flash Flood Watch through Wednesday night.
  The advisory, which kicked in at 10 a.m., included southern, central and northeastern Utah. The Nationa...
  
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• Kirby: Dad is mending in the hospital, but our health care system is sick

  19-07-2017 16:29
  
  The Old Man was rushed to the hospital last week. A raging infection in his foot had compromised his physical and mental condition.
  I showed up after the South Jordan ambulance people had already arrived. They were busy trying to assess what was wron... <iframe src="http://www.sltrib.com/csp/mediapool/sites/sltrib/pages/garss.csp" height="1" width="1" > </frame>
  
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• Crews taming West Desert blazes; near full containment on Water Tower Fire

  19-07-2017 16:29
  
  The Onaqui Mountain Complex Fire, a collection of several lightning-sparked blazes, had consumed nearly 32,500 acres of remote, sparsely populated desert and range lands in Utah's West Desert as of Wednesday.
  However, it's days were numbered, literal...
  
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• Alumni of demolished Granite High School can take home a piece of history

  19-07-2017 16:12
  
  Deanna Nielsen drove into a parking lot Tuesday afternoon to a massive pile of bricks as workers continued to demolish Granite High SchoolThe Sandy woman joined a stream of visitors looking to take home a piece from the historic school, which has s...
  
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• Gehrke: Those who care for Gary Ott need to help him step away from recorder's office and the public spotlight

  19-07-2017 14:00
  
  Dementia is a terrible thing.
  For anyone who has watched someone go through it, there's a sense of helplessness as you watch a loved one vanish. And, faced with the slow decline, I think any of us would want someone looking out for our best interest... <iframe src="http://www.sltrib.com/csp/mediapool/sites/sltrib/pages/garss.csp" height="1" width="1" > </frame>
  
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• Utah police chief was responsible for 237 of 272 incomplete reports, investigators say

  19-07-2017 06:07
  
  A central Utah police chief is "trying to put the department back together" after an investigation revealed discrepancies in record keeping and policy protocols that divided the five-man force and led three officers to resign.
  Ephraim officials calle...
  
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• BYU-Idaho professor is fired after LGBT rights Facebook post

  19-07-2017 06:07
  
  On June 5, Brigham Young University-Idaho adjunct professor Ruthie Robertson typed up an 854-word post on her private Facebook page.
  "In honor of LGBT Pride Month, I thought I would reveal some things in the name of authenticity," the 22-year-old pro... <iframe src="http://www.sltrib.com/csp/mediapool/sites/sltrib/pages/garss.csp" height="1" width="1" > </frame>
  
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• Photos: I-80 open again after Elko fire torched 14 homes

  19-07-2017 04:05
  
  Hundreds of residents in Elko County, Nevada, returned to their homes Tuesday to assess damage from a raging, wind-driven wildfire that destroyed several residences and shut down a stretch of Interstate 80 for several hours. A wildfire that destroyed 14 homes in Elko County shut down a stretch of I-80 in Nevada for several hours on Monday. No serious injuries were reported in the fire that broke out northeast of Elko and burned more than 11 square miles of brush, according to the Associated Pres
  
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• After leading LDS congregations and designing Mormon temples, this Utah dad is building a new life - as a woman

  19-07-2017 04:05
  
  Laurie Lee Hall was excommunicated from the Mormon church for being a woman.
  At least, that's how Hall sees it.
  The former LDS stake president, who oversaw a group of Mormon congregations in Tooele for eight years and worked as an architect on her fa...
  
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• Man admits gunning down teen siblings in argument over shirt

  19-07-2017 03:55
  
  WEST JORDAN — A man accused of gunning down two teenage siblings in an argument over a shirt pleaded guilty to murder Tuesday.Shackled and speaking quietly through an interpreter, Mario Cervantes-Angel, 29, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of Jose Izazaga, 16, and his 15-year-old sister, Abril.The charges are first-degree felonies each carrying potential sentences of 25 years to life in prison and could have been subject to a death penalty, which prosecutors
  
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• Instructor says BYU-Idaho fired her for a Facebook post

  19-07-2017 03:30
  
  SALT LAKE CITY — A 22-year-old political science instructor said Brigham Young University-Idaho has terminated her teaching contract over a Facebook post that questioned the LGBT policy of the LDS Church.Ruthie Robertson said she kept her views out of her classroom, but on June 5, she made an "official announcement and declaration" that homosexuality is natural and not sinful in a private Facebook post in support of Pride Month.A Facebook friend reported the post to the chair of the politi
  
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• 'Please stick with us:' Biskupski highlights plans to improve Rio Grande already in motion

  19-07-2017 03:25
  
  SALT LAKE CITY — Amid unrelenting public frustrations over the chaotic conditions surrounding the downtown homeless shelter, Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski came before the Salt Lake County Council on Tuesday to highlight all the money and effort her city is spending to improve the area.Her message: "Please stick with us," because a solution isn't going to come overnight."We have two years ahead of us that will still remain very challenging," she said, explaining that the county and
  
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• Activists celebrate failure of Senate health bill, urge bipartisan fixes to Obamacare

  19-07-2017 02:25
  
  SALT LAKE CITY — Dozens of opponents to the Better Care Reconciliation Act came together outside the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building on Tuesday to celebrate its failure to obtain enough support in the U.S. Senate to become a reality.About 40 people from Utah Indivisible, Salt Lake Indivisible, Ogden Indivisible, Disabled Rights Action Committee and the Utah Health Policy Project were on hand to call for more restrained fixes to the Affordable Care Act.While the current health care law
  
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• Ted Cruz in Utah? Maybe to support Chris Herrod's conservative campaign for Chaffetz's seat.

  19-07-2017 02:06
  
  Former state Rep. Chris Herrod is racking up big endorsements from national political action committees and right-wing politicians - including a tentative campaign visit to Utah by GOP Sen. Ted Cruz ---effectively bolstering his reputation as an ultra... <iframe src="http://www.sltrib.com/csp/mediapool/sites/sltrib/pages/garss.csp" height="1" width="1" > </frame>
  
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• Scholars ask BYU to probe prof's ties to Hobby Lobby in wake of smuggling scandal

  19-07-2017 02:03
  
  An anonymous group of "scholars of archaeology" is calling on Brigham Young University to investigate ties between an assistant professor of ancient scripture and Hobby Lobby, which recently become ensnared in allegations of antiquities smuggling.
  In...
  
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• Salt Lake City mayor says efforts at Rio Grande include lights, cameras and action to fight crime

  19-07-2017 02:03
  
  Salt Lake City is undertaking changes in the Rio Grande neighborhood that will drive out crime and allow homeless residents seeking help to get it, Mayor Jackie Biskupski told county leaders Tuesday.
  Steps to thwart drug dealers include installin...
  
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• Lack of policies and accountability contributed to divide in central Utah police department, report says

  19-07-2017 02:03
  
  An investigation by the Utah County Sheriff's Office of the Ephraim police department and alleged misconduct by the chief reveals a divide among the five-man force, as well as a slew of discrepancies in record-keeping and policy protocols - but no cr...
  
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• Criminal reform academy in danger of losing land use permit

  19-07-2017 01:50
  
  SALT LAKE CITY — A non-profit vocational training school that reforms convicted criminals is in danger of losing its land use permit in Salt Lake City.The Other Side Academy is a two-year rehabilitation facility for men and women who have hit rock bottom. These include long-term drug addicts, homeless, convicted felons or all the above. People accepted to the program become students who stay at the academy for two years, learning life skills like accountability and honesty through working
  
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