Utah news

• Provo photographer arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse of teen models

  08-12-2017 23:26
  
  A Provo man was arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse of four underage models while photographing them in their underwear.
  
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• Utahn on immigration hold in Montana in federal custody

  08-12-2017 23:22
  BOZEMAN, Mont. — A Mexican citizen who has lived in Utah 20 years and feared posting bail on a misdemeanor sexual assault charge in Montana because he was the subject of a civil immigration hold was released from jail this week and, within an hour, was taken into custody by immigration officials.
  Public defender Annie DeWolf argues Arturo Valerio-Gonzales' release on Wednesday was coordinated by local and federal officials to render moot an effort before the Montana Supreme Court that argu
  
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• Voya Financial donates $10K to Special Olympics Utah

  08-12-2017 23:18
  SALT LAKE CITY — Voya Financial Inc. has announced it will donate $10,000 to Special Olympics Utah as a result of its Invest in Something Special effort.
  The weeklong social media campaign was designed to share the goals and dreams of Special Olympics athletes on social media and to raise money for local U.S. programs.
  "We are grateful to Voya for believing in the dreams of Special Olympics athletes," D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli, president of Special Olympics Utah, said in a statement. "Traini
  
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• Bryce Canyon hiring rangers for summer season

  08-12-2017 23:13
  BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK — Although summer is months away, the park is currently advertising to fill vacancies for interpretive rangers and entrance station rangers.
  All open job announcements and detailed position descriptions are posted online at usajobs.gov. The application window for interpretative ranger positions will close on Dec. 18, while those for entrance station rangers will close Dec. 19. To see information on all available positions at Bryce Canyon, search for "National Par
  
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• Hughes announces changes to House committee leadership

  08-12-2017 23:09
  SALT LAKE CITY — With the resignation of Rep. Dean Sanpei, R-Provo, Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes has appointed Rep. Brad Last, R-Hurricane, to serve as the chairman of the House Executive Appropriations Committee and Rep. Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, to serve as vice chairman, effective immediately.
  "While we will greatly miss Rep. Sanpei, Rep. Last is ready, willing and able to lead our executive appropriations committee, and I'm excited to work closely with him in this new position," Hughes
  
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• Little Sahara Visitor Center closes for winter

  08-12-2017 23:05
  ?FILLMORE — The Bureau of Land Management's Little Sahara Recreation Area visitor center will close for the winter Saturday through Feb. 18. While the visitor center is closed, the recreation area will remain open to the public.
  Vault toilets will remain open throughout the center's closure. Flush toilets and flush/dump stations are turned off to prevent facility damage from freezing winter temperatures.
  A day-use fee of $18 per vehicle or the display of an annual pass is required for entr
  
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• Wildlife board approves changes for big game, waterfowl 2018-19 hunts

  08-12-2017 22:30
  
  Several proposed changes for the 2018-2019 hunting season have been approved for big game and waterfowl hunts.
  
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• Ex-Utah Symphony stage manager charged with tax evasion

  08-12-2017 22:18
  SALT LAKE CITY — A former stage manager for the Utah Symphony and production director at Vivint Smart Home Arena was charged Friday with 11 felonies accusing him of failing to pay taxes.
  The Utah Attorney General's Office charged Jeffrey Kim Sturgis, 50, of Winter Green, Florida, with engaging in a pattern of unlawful activity, a second-degree felony; five counts of failing to render a proper tax return, a third-degree felony; and five counts of "intent to defeat the payment of a tax," a s
  
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• How to give without spending any money and other tips for this giving season

  08-12-2017 20:55
  Anyone looking to be charitable in the Beehive State certainly isn't alone, according to a report published in November.
  That's because Utah topped a WalletHub ranking of the most charitable states. The report specifically pointed to Utah's high Mormon population, according to the Deseret News.
  For those who've never donated, however, the process of making sure the donation goes where it should isn't always easy. Here are 14 ways people can start thinking about donating to make sure their effort
  
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• Missionaries to return to Puerto Rico after hurricanes

  08-12-2017 20:44
  
  Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will soon return to Puerto Rico after they were evacuated from the island following the aftermath of hurricanes in September, LDS officials said Friday.
  
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• Clearfield man charged with murdering baby in angry frustration

  08-12-2017 20:38
  CLEARFIELD — Criminal charges were filed Friday against a 19-year-old Clearfield man accused of killing his 7-week-old son during an explosive moment of anger that included him throwing the child.
  Clint Corydon Nokes is charged in 2nd District Court with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, and intentional child abuse resulting in serious injury, a second-degree felony.
  Nokes "repeatedly abused" his son between Nov. 26 and Dec. 1, "causing broken bones, a fractured skull, spinal damag
  
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• Alliance for a Better Utah joins calls for Utah County commissioner to resign

  08-12-2017 20:26
  
  Pressure continues to mount on embattled Utah County Commissioner Greg Graves amid allegations that he sexually harassed a county employee and has exhibited bullying, intimidating and explosive behavior at the county workplace.
  
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• Magna woman charged with unlawful sex with teen runaway

  08-12-2017 19:55
  MAGNA — A Magna woman was charged Friday with having unlawful sex with a runaway teenager.
  Jennifer Liddell, 40, is charged in 3rd District Court with two counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a third-degree felony; and endangerment of a child, a third-degree felony.
  Investigators say Liddell had sex with a 16-year-old runaway boy at her house. When police found the boy on Aug. 24, he referred to "Jen" as his girlfriend, according to charging documents, and detectives also found
  
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• Provo photographer accused of abusing teen male models

  08-12-2017 19:44
  PROVO — A Provo photographer has been arrested and accused of sexually abusing male teenage models.
  Kyle Navarrete, 32, was booked into the Utah County Jail Thursday for investigation of forcible sodomy and four counts of forcible sex abuse.
  Navarrete arranged photo shoots with at least four boys, ages 16 and 17, told them they needed to "take underwear photos to get a modeling career," and then would touch the boys' genitalia under the guise of "adjusting" them to look better for the phot
  
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• A.M. notes: Protests over net neutrality, Jazz lose to Houston, West Bank clashes over Trump

  08-12-2017 19:31
  Here’s a look at the news for Dec. 8.Protests erupt over net neutralityNet neutrality supporters protested throughout the country and in Utah on Thursday, according to the Deseret News.A small group of protesters gathered outside the Sugar House Verizon store, the Deseret News reported.The protesters spoke out against their opposition to a possible rule change that could allow internet service providers to act as utility-like companies.“One of the most impactful differences in these
  
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• Deliberations set to continue in comic con trademark trial

  08-12-2017 19:23
  SAN DIEGO — Jury deliberations were set to continue Friday in the trademark dispute between Salt Lake Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con International.
  The four-man, three-woman jury is considering whether organizers of the popular Salt Lake convention violated San Diego's trademark when they dubbed their event a "comic con," or whether the widely used term is now too commonplace to protect.
  Deliberations began Thursday afternoon, the eighth day of the trial in the dispute.
  The two comic an
  
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• Deseret News readers weigh in on Trump's monument change

  08-12-2017 19:04
  SALT LAKE CITY — As President Donald Trump visited Utah Monday and announced a reduction of two national monuments, we asked Deseret News readers whether they agree or disagree with the change.
  Over 1,300 people responded, with about 805 people indicating they disagreed with the president's decision. Around 475 said they agreed that the monuments should be reduced.
  During his whirlwind trip to Utah on Monday, Trump cut the nearly 1.5 million acres of the Bears Ears National Monument into t
  
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• ‘The Last Jedi’ is already breaking records for this Utah theater chain

  08-12-2017 19:00
  SALT LAKE CITY — "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" might set a new record for one Utah theater chain.
  The Megaplex Theaters have seen their biggest pre-sale ticket numbers in theater history, according to Jeff Whipple, vice president of public relations for Megaplex.
  "We've never had a bigger advance than what we have in the works right now," Whipple said. "We don't know how that compares to the rest of the world. But for us, we're looking forward to a pretty busy Star Wars opening, so it should
  
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• Deliberations ongoing in comic con trademark trial

  08-12-2017 18:51
  SAN DIEGO — Jury deliberations continued Friday in the trademark dispute between Salt Lake Comic Con and San Diego Comic-Con International.
  The four-man, three-woman jury is considering whether organizers of the popular Salt Lake convention violated San Diego's trademark when they dubbed their event a "comic con," or whether the widely used term is now too commonplace to protect.
  Deliberations began Thursday afternoon, the eighth day of the trial in the dispute.
  The two comic and pop cultu
  
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• 3 Olympic trial events you can attend in Utah in December

  08-12-2017 18:27
  
  Since hosting the 2002 Winter Olympics, Utah still holds several several Olympic trials throughout the year, and in December, you can attend and volunteer at three events.
  
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• It's literally snowing in Texas and Georgia. See the photos of the rare event

  08-12-2017 18:25
  They say everything's bigger in Texas. But does that hold up to its snowflakes?We may soon learn the answer, as snowflakes fell in several areas of southern Texas on Thursday, including in the cities of San Antonio and Austin.Snow often falls in the northern areas of Texas, but rarely falls in the south.Houston similarly woke up to snow, according to The Houston Chronicle. Forecasters said the ground is still warm, so it’s unlikely to stick around for too long."The problem is that everythi
  
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• Local photographer arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse of teen models

  08-12-2017 18:08
  
  A man was arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse of four underage models while photographing them in their underwear.
  
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• Mormon missionaries returning to Puerto Rico 3 months after Hurricane Maria

  08-12-2017 17:58
  SALT LAKE CITY — Mormon missionaries are returning to Puerto Rico nearly three months after a direct hit on the island by Hurricane Maria forced church leaders to evacuate 155 missionaries and reassign them across the United States.
  Fourteen young elders will return to Puerto Rico and two senior couples will return to St. Croix and St. Thomas, according to a news release issued Friday morning by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Decisions about the return of additional missi
  
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• 2 more lawsuits filed over Trump order breaking up Bears Ears National Monument

  08-12-2017 16:41
  
  Two more coalitions made up of conservation groups, Native American organizations and an outdoor retailer have sued President Donald Trump over his dismantling of Bears Ears National Monument.
  
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• Orem police show humor, claim to set up 'drug exchange zone' at station

  08-12-2017 16:03
  
  While it may be hard to believe, Orem police said they really do get complaints from people upset that their drug deal didn't go down as planned.
  
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• Vehicle in hit-and-run located after license plate left imprint on bumper

  08-12-2017 06:28
  
  A Bountiful woman is thankful after a Utah Highway Patrol trooper went above and beyond to help her out after a hit-and-run crash.
  
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• Driver who reported sun in eyes hits boy, 7, in West Valley

  08-12-2017 05:56
  WEST VALLEY CITY — A 7-year-old boy was in the hospital with serious head injuries Thursday after a car struck him on his way home from school around 4 p.m.
  The driver told police that glaring, low sunlight blocked the boy from view, the West Valley City Police Department reported.
  The child, whose name was not released, was crossing a side street at 6000 West and 4190 South, just north of Hillside Elementary. The boy was just outside a cross walk, cutting its corner, when he was hit, said
  
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• Investigator: Utah County commissioner 'widely viewed as workplace bully'

  08-12-2017 05:38
  PROVO — The day after Utah County Commissioner Greg Graves faced calls to resign amid allegations of sexual harassment, the county attorney's office released its findings of an investigation into the claims — a report Graves said would clear him "100 percent" of wrongdoing.
  But county GOP officials were not convinced, joining a chorus calling for Graves' resignation.
  In the 11-page report released Thursday, independent investigator Spencer Phillips wrote that he was unable to identif
  
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• First on CNN: Hatch hosting re-election fundraiser in January

  08-12-2017 05:05
  
  Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch is hosting a re-election fundraiser in early January, according to an invitation obtained by CNN, stoking further intrigue about a Senate seat that's being eyed by Mitt Romney.
  
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• Point of the Mountain group seeks input from Silicon Slopes tech industry

  08-12-2017 04:41
  
  What will public transit, air quality and outdoor recreation look like in southern Salt Lake County and northern Utah County look like by the year 2050?
  
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• Homeless shelter donations reach $1.2 million in Miller family's $10 million grant challenge

  08-12-2017 04:12
  SOUTH SALT LAKE — Ten-year-old Emma Mitchell stepped in front of TV cameras and a small crowd Thursday to tell of how she meets people experiencing homelessness in downtown Salt Lake City nearly every day.
  "Sometimes it's just one person," Emma said, her voice quiet and soft. "Sometimes it's a whole family."
  Parents Bentley and Amy Mitchell, longtime Salt Lake City residents, smiled as they watched their daughter speak at the news conference in the midst of Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAda
  
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• Utah crews hit road to help tackle California fires

  08-12-2017 04:01
  
  Utah fire crews were making their way to Southern California Thursday to help battle several blazes that have burned more than 150 square miles, swallowed portions of roads and forced scores of evacuations.
  
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• How the U.S. Forest Service used 3-D modeling to preserve historic Utah bridge

  08-12-2017 03:02
  
  The Carnegie Kingspost Bridge was a unique project in Utah history, manufactured by Carnegie Steel Company in 1900. While it no longer exists physically, it still stands in 3-D imagery.
  
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• Man burned from pouring gas on fire pit dies from injuries

  08-12-2017 02:09
  ST. GEORGE — A man who poured gasoline into a fire pit has died as a result of burn injuries, according to St. George police.
  About 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, emergency crews responded to the Dixie Downs area on a report of a person trapped in a car that was on fire, according to St. George police. They arrived to find a 25-year-old man with extensive burns lying on the ground next to the vehicle, police stated.
  Upon further investigation, police learned the man, whose name was not immediately
  
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• Op-ed: Think twice before eliminating the SALT deduction

  08-12-2017 01:55
  With the president’s visit to Utah this past week, much of the focus was on national monuments, lands policy and the Antiquities Act. Unfortunately, his visit mostly eclipsed another equally important issue that will have an immediate and direct impact on thousands of Utahns during 2018: tax reform.When Utahns read about tax reform, or hear phrases like “tax brackets” or “effective tax rates,” eyes often glaze over very quickly. It can be confusing, boring, and arou
  
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• Net neutrality supporters protest Verizon for supporting FCC changes

  08-12-2017 01:47
  SALT LAKE CITY — While only a small group of net neutrality supporters gathered Thursday morning to protest at the Sugar House Verizon store, more than 700 actions were held throughout the day at locations around the country.
  Organizers and participants took to the streets to signify their opposition to a set of rule changes, scheduled for a vote on Dec. 14, proposed by the Trump-appointed chairman of the Federal Communication Commission and former Verizon lawyer, Ajit Pai. If adopted, the
  
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• Driver who reported sun in eyes strikes boy, 7, in West Valley

  08-12-2017 01:42
  WEST VALLEY CITY — A 7-year-old boy was in the hospital with serious injuries Thursday after a car struck him on his way home from school.
  The driver told police that glaring, low sunlight blocked the boy from view, the West Valley City Police Department said in a tweet.
  The child, whose name was not released, was crossing a side street at 6000 West and 4190 South, just north of Hillside Elementary.
  "Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers," the Granite School District said in a tweet
  
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• 1 person extracted after Magna double rollover crash

  08-12-2017 01:19
  
  Crews are responding to a double rollover crash near 8120 W. 3500 South in Magna.
  
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• USS Utah artifact returns to U., cleaned and restored

  08-12-2017 01:00
  SALT LAKE CITY — If you step inside the Naval Science building on the University of Utah campus, it's likely the first thing that will catch your eye is an enormous bell displayed in the entryway.
  The polished surface of the bell shines, even though the exterior bears nicks and scratches in several places. The inscription "U.S.S. Utah" is distinct and bold, with the year 1911 imprinted underneath.
  It doesn't look like an artifact that survived two world wars, sank into the ocean and was le
  
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• Police: 7-year-old boy hit by car in West Valley City

  08-12-2017 00:54
  
  A 7-year-old boy was taken to a hospital in serious condition after being hit by a car on Thursday afternoon, according to police.
  
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• Police identify man killed in Ogden shooting

  08-12-2017 00:40
  
  Police on Thursday identified a man who died after he was shot in the head last week.
  
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• State School Board gets sneak peek at ‘Utah Education Roadmap’

  08-12-2017 00:28
  SALT LAKE CITY — Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox on Thursday gave the Utah State Board of Education a sneak peek of the "Utah Education Roadmap," which will be released in its entirety in early 2018.
  The plan, the product of Gov. Gary Herbert's Education Excellence Commission, has four components: ensuring early learning; strengthening and supporting educators; ensuring access and equity to students; and completing certificates and college degrees.
  The 10-year plan was developed by a diverse group of
  
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• Ogden changes name of city’s voting areas from wards to districts

  08-12-2017 00:23
  OGDEN — The City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance changing the name of the city's voting areas from municipal wards to municipal districts.
  The change in terminology does not alter the boundaries or the number of districts.
  "The term 'municipal ward' used to define the areas of representation for council members was a point of confusion in the community," Marcia White, council chairwoman, said in a statement. "Other cities in the state do not use that terminology, and 'ward' i
  
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• Ogden School District taking open enrollment applications until Feb. 16

  08-12-2017 00:18
  OGDEN — The Ogden School District is now taking open enrollment applications for any student who resides inside or outside the district.
  Applications, which can be found at ogdensd.org, must be submitted to the school that the student wishes attend for the 2018-19 school year. Applications will be taken until Feb. 16, and applicants will be notified in writing of the school's decision on or before March 31.
  Subject to availability, the following schools are declared open for the upcoming s
  
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• Faraday Lectures at WSU make chemistry a family holiday event

  08-12-2017 00:15
  OGDEN — The public is invited to Weber State University's annual Faraday Lectures, hosted by the chemistry department, will take place Dec. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Tracy Hall Science Center.
  The free lectures pay homage to Michael Faraday, a renowned English scientist known for his contributions to electromagnetism and electrochemistry. Faraday hosted Christmas lectures at The Royal Institution in London from 1825 to 1861, and WSU has continued the holiday tradition to entertain and edu
  
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• Zion sets visitation record, highlighting crowding concerns

  08-12-2017 00:11
  ST. GEORGE — Zion National Park has already set a new visitation record with a month left to go in 2017, a milestone that highlights concerns about overcrowding at the iconic red-rock landscape.
  Nearly 4.4 million people visited the park through the end of November, an increase of about 5 percent over last year, the Spectrum in St. George reported Thursday.
  Attendance at Zion has risen steadily over the past decade and is up some 70 percent since 2010, when there were 2.7 million visitors
  
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• Police: St. George man dies from burns after using gasoline on campfire

  08-12-2017 00:02
  
  A 25-year-old man died Wednesday evening after he was severely burned when a campfire in a yard got out of control, police said.
  
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