Utah news

• Police: Contractor dies in Sandy after wall collapses on him

  15-12-2017 23:38
  
  A 42-year-old man is dead after a retaining wall collapsed on him, Unified police officials reported.
  
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• Herbert fills vacancy on 6th District Juvenile Court

  15-12-2017 23:38
  SALT LAKE CITY — Gov. Gary Herbert has appointed Brody Keisel as a judge on the 6th District Juvenile Court.
  Keisel previously served as Sanpete County attorney, municipal prosecutor in Manti, and as deputy Sanpete County attorney. He has been responsible for 6th District Court prosecutions since 2003, and is an adjunct professor in criminal law at Snow College. He received a Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska School of Law.
  Subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate, Keisel will
  
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• Judge: Man accused of killing grandmother suffering hallucinations

  15-12-2017 23:33
  SALT LAKE CITY — A judge has found that a man accused of violently killing his grandmother in 2012 is still suffering from daily hallucinations, including believing he is "a god" or "a fallen angel."
  In a decision handed down Thursday, 3rd District Judge Mark Kouris found that Zachary Cole Weston, who is now 26, experiences hallucinations and hears voices between 70 percent and 80 percent of the time, leaving him incapable of facing the charges against him.
  According to the judge's order,
  
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• Ice fishing seminars set for Dec. 21, Jan. 5 in Vernal

  15-12-2017 23:31
  VERNAL — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Sportsman's Warehouse are teaming up to offer two free ice fishing seminars.
  The first seminar, which will cover the basics, will be held on Thursday, and the second, aimed at helping anglers catch burbot and lake trout at Flaming Gorge Reservoir, will be held on Jan. 5. Both will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Sportsman's Warehouse 2015 U.S. 40.
  Because space is limited, participants must register in advance.
  For questions or more informa
  
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• 7 deer poached, left to waste in southern Utah

  15-12-2017 21:11
  
  An investigation is underway into the poaching of seven deer in southern Utah and authorities are asking the public’s help in identifying the individuals responsible for the crime.
  
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• Report: Utah prison population down, returning parolees up

  15-12-2017 20:55
  SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's prison population has dropped the past two years, but the number of people on parole and probation returning for various crimes and violations sharply increased, a new state report shows.
  Total inmates decreased from 7,026 to 6,276, an 11 percent drop since 2015, according to Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice data released Friday.
  Also, violent offenders make up 68 percent of the prison population, up from 60 percent in 2015.
  At the same time, prison admis
  
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• 10-year-old Richfield boy dies after SUV hits bike, police say

  15-12-2017 20:50
  
  A young boy on a bike died Thursday evening after he was hit by a car.
  
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• 10-year-old Richfield boy on a bike is hit, killed

  15-12-2017 20:38
  RICHFIELD — A young boy on a bike died Thursday evening after he was hit by car.
  The Utah Highway Patrol reported Harley Howells, 10, was riding his bike on state Route 119 near Hepplers Pond Road about 5:35 p.m. when he was hit by a westbound driver in a Lexus RX 300.
  Harley, of Richfield, was transported to an area hospital where he died of his injuries.
  The road was shut down between Glenwood and Richfield as investigators reviewed the scene, UHP said. The accident remains under investi
  
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• Salt Lake students surprised with free backpacks, school supplies

  15-12-2017 20:33
  SALT LAKE CITY — A local lending company surprised more than 840 students at Jackson and Rose Park elementary schools with new school supplies and backpacks.
  Volunteers from Primary Residential Mortgage Inc. gathered Friday morning to hand-deliver backpacks to elementary school students in Salt Lake City.
  Many families can buy school supplies at the beginning of the year, but supplies often run out halfway through the year, said Kandice Davis, a public relations specialist with the mortgag
  
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• Vernal child rape case to move again after jury can't be found in Summit County

  15-12-2017 20:06
  SALT LAKE CITY — The case of three men accused of gang raping a 9-year-old girl in Vernal will be moved a second time after more than two dozen potential jurors in Summit County didn't show up for jury duty.
  In an order handed down Friday, 3rd District Judge Edwin Peterson wrote that as attorneys attempted to seat a jury in the case, it became apparent that the Summit County facility was too small and the jury pool too sparse to handle the 10-day trial.
  Now a new trial will be assigned to
  
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• Cedar City LDS temple’s economic impact being felt, officials say

  15-12-2017 19:33
  
  Although the Cedar City Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just opened for regular operations Tuesday, the new building has already had a positive economic impact on the area, local officials say.
  
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• USA Today’s pick for 'most flavorful gift' from Utah is ...

  15-12-2017 19:24
  Chocolate may be the best culinary gift from Utah this holiday season.
  USA Today recently offered a guide to the most flavorful gift from every state. The list of gifts includes foods tied to each state's culture, like maple syrup from Vermont, lobster from Maine or macadamia nuts from Hawaii.
  USA Today recommended people embrace the Beehive State's chocolate.
  "Utah has the highest concentration of bean-to-bar chocolate makers per capita in the USA, which means plenty of artisan chocolatiers cre
  
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• Ferron man found guilty of killing mom, brother

  15-12-2017 18:39
  SALT LAKE CITY — Jurors have found a Ferron man guilty of killing his mother and brother, but called one of the deaths aggravated murder and the other manslaughter.
  Seth Gordon Peterson, 26, was accused of shooting and killing his mother, Susan Peterson, 45, and his brother, James Peterson, 23, on Nov. 2, 2016, in a field near a farmhouse outside Hiawatha, Carbon County.
  He was charged in 7th District Court of aggravated murder, a first-degree felony and a capital offense, though prosecuto
  
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• This map shows the geography of debt in Utah

  15-12-2017 18:19
  Utah's share of debt in collections is lower than the national average, except when it comes to nonwhite residents.
  A new report from the Urban Institute broke down the country's past-due debt by state, city and county levels.
  The report identified debt in collections as "past-due credit lines that have been closed and charged-off on their books as well as unpaid bills reported to the credit bureaus that the creditor is attempting to collect," according to the report, which collected data "deriv
  
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• In our opinion: Mormon bishop interviews are not 'invitations' for abuse

  15-12-2017 18:15
  If we're seeing anything today, surely it is a desperate need for character and respect for moral virtue.But raising young people to be women and men of conscience and integrity is no small feat, even as it remains a critical component of preventing the sexual misconduct that has forced so many men in power to resign in recent weeks.Sexual assault and abuse of any kind is not merely reprehensible — it is evil. Perpetrators must be prosecuted and victims must be both heard and healed.It app
  
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• Jay Evensen: Why Utahns can sympathize with Trump's Dennis Rodman problem

  15-12-2017 17:05
  This is what it has come to.In 72 years, we’ve gone from the triumvirate of Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt to Trump, Kim and Rodman.Yes, you may have thought we had heard the last of former NBA player and provocateur Dennis Rodman, but he’s back. This time, he wants President Trump to know he has a “secret plan” that will bring peace with North Korea.Utahns who have lived here a while might have an interesting perspective on Rodman. They might remember the days when he
  
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• Mike Lee, Mia Love: It's time to modernize higher education

  15-12-2017 15:20
  From our state’s earliest days, Utah has placed a high value on education. It is part of our cultural DNA. So it’s not totally surprising that when it comes to higher education, Utah is getting a lot of things right.For example, Utah’s tuition rates are the fourth lowest in the nation. Our state has the lowest average student debt. And it enjoys an impressive network of private and public universities, technical colleges and alternative education options. These positive data po
  
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• US prosecutors move to cash in on $8.5M in seized bitcoin

  15-12-2017 15:03
  
  U.S. attorneys in Utah prosecuting a multimillion-dollar opioid drug-ring are moving quickly to sell seized bitcoin that's exploded in value to about $8.5 million since the alleged ringleader's arrest a year ago.
  
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• Man lights duplex on fire following argument, police say

  15-12-2017 14:50
  
  A house fire in Millcreek is being investigated as arson. Unified police believe a man set the duplex on fire after an argument over a vehicle.
  
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• In our opinion: There's a little silver in the dank gray inversion lining

  15-12-2017 14:05
  The smothering blanket of gloom brought by the current weather pattern brings forth the prospect of a not-so-white Christmas, along with an elevated discussion about what the upcoming session of the Utah Legislature might do in the way of improving overall air quality. Despite the hazards and discomforts of the winter inversion season, we are optimistic about trends that suggest progress is slowly being made in the way of cleaner air.For perspective, overall air quality in the valleys of norther
  
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• Lady Gaga's foundation brings 'Mental Health First Aid' to Utah

  15-12-2017 06:50
  
  It's a concert young and old have been waiting for: Lady Gaga is in town. But before the entertainment, the music powerhouse makes sure mental health awareness takes center stage.
  
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• Intergenerational force: Families gather for first peek at new Star Wars film

  15-12-2017 05:40
  SANDY — Several generations of Star Wars fans brought their families and friends to an advance screening of the saga's latest installment Thursday evening, with many posing next to storm troopers for pictures, battling with lightsabers and hoping the films' latest heroine would stay away from the dark side of the Force.
  Some in the audience were still in diapers, while others with greying hair attended an early screening of "The Last Jedi" at Sandy's Megaplex Theatres at Jordan Commons.
  Am
  
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• America First gives $10K to 10 local humanitarian groups

  15-12-2017 05:11
  FARMINGTON — Ten local organizations that work to improve the lives of others are $10,000 richer thanks to America First Credit Union Charitable Foundation and its nonprofit Community Assistance Program.
  During a ceremony Tuesday night at the Fountain View Events Venue at Farmington Station, the 10 organizations received the checks to help continue their efforts.
  The 10 organizations are: the Road Home, SafeNest, The Lantern House Homeless Shelter, YCC of Northern Utah, Cathedral of the Ma
  
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• Midvale residents urged to share vision for areas around TRAX stations

  15-12-2017 04:39
  MIDVALE — Residents are being encouraged to attend two workshops to help develop plans for the area around the TRAX stations at 7200 South and Center Street.
  The goal is to develop a vision of what community members want the neighborhoods to become and then formulate specific goals, objectives and policies that will help implement that vision.
  A workshop on the 7200 South area plan will be held Jan. 30; a workshop on the Center Street area plan will be held Jan. 31. Both meetings will begi
  
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• W. Jordan taking applications for Citizen Police Academy

  15-12-2017 04:27
  WEST JORDAN — The city's police department is gearing up for its next session of the Citizen Police Academy in January.
  The free course runs for 11 weeks. The three-hour classes are held once starting at 6 p.m. at the West Jordan Justice Center Community Room, 8040 S. Redwood Road.
  Participants will get an inside look at how the police department works and learn about different aspects of police work, including firearm safety, crime scene investigation, K-9, crime prevention and defensive
  
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• Tuba triumph: Orem musician returns to Abravanel Hall after battle with lymphoma

  15-12-2017 04:04
  
  Ian Hopper’s music career will come full circle on Monday as he performs at Abravanel Hall.
  
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• Prosecutors move to cash in on $8.5M in bitcoins seized in Utah

  15-12-2017 03:32
  SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. attorneys in Utah prosecuting a multimillion-dollar opioid drug-ring are moving quickly to sell seized bitcoin that's exploded in value to about $8.5 million since the alleged ringleader's arrest a year ago.
  The U.S. Attorney's Office for Utah cites the digital currency's volatility in court documents pressing for the sale. The bitcoin cache was worth less than $500,000 when Aaron Shamo was arrested on drug charges, but the value of the digital currency has skyrockete
  
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• UDOT: New sidewalk signs aimed to increase pedestrian safety along Wasatch Front

  15-12-2017 03:00
  
  Historically, December is the second deadliest month for pedestrian deaths in Utah. That’s why the Zero Fatalities campaign is taking steps aimed at reversing that trend.
  
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• Family seeks information from public on 5th anniversary of couple's deaths

  15-12-2017 02:45
  SANDY — It's been five years since Ralph Salazar, 59, and his girlfriend, Alice Griego, 55, were shot and killed inside their home on Salt Lake County's east bench and then set on fire.
  But there has still never been an arrest or even a person of interest named or a possible motive announced in the investigation, much to the frustration of the family.
  On Thursday, the fifth anniversary of the couple's death, family members held a candlelight vigil in front of the house Salazar and Griego w
  
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• Police: Man suspected of burglarizing home arrested following standoff

  15-12-2017 02:09
  TAYLORSVILLE — A man suspected of burglarizing one home and barricading himself inside another has been arrested following a standoff with police.
  The man kicked in a window and broke into the home after police responding to a call of a burglary at another house in the area spotted him walking down the street, Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said.
  The home was empty at the time with the exception of a dog, which ended up in the backyard, but officers were concerned about the chance t
  
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• BYU, UVU to provide free transit passes to students, faculty, staff and their families

  15-12-2017 01:59
  PROVO — When UTA's new bus rapid transit line opens in August 2018, BYU and Utah Valley University will give free annual transit passes to students, faculty and staff, as well as their spouses and dependents, for the next decade.
  The universities each are spending about $1 million to buy a total of some 100,000 passes from the Utah Transit Authority at a discounted rate that will provide free access to the agency's buses, TRAX light rail and FrontRunner commuter trains.
  Smog hung in the ai
  
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• Police: Man suspected in burglary flees officers, breaks into second Taylorsville home

  15-12-2017 01:58
  
  A man suspected in a burglary of a home was taken into custody after he fled into another home and barricaded himself from officers Thursday afternoon, police said.
  
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• Health exchange deadline arrives, but effects of moving it up remain murky

  15-12-2017 01:17
  SALT LAKE CITY — Open enrollment numbers on the federal exchange appear robust so far in Utah following a tumultuous year, health insurance professionals say, though it remains to be seen how a shortened sign-up period will affect the total number of people who buy health plans there as the deadline arrives.
  As of Dec. 9, 104,942 people had enrolled in health plans on the federal exchange in Utah, according to the latest available data released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Se
  
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• US officials close probe of Utah's Dixie State University

  15-12-2017 01:15
  
  The U.S. Department of Education has closed an investigation into whether Utah's Dixie State University mishandled a former student's sexual harassment complaint.
  
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• Eastbound Highway 193 reopens after crash seriously injures 3

  15-12-2017 01:07
  
  Eastbound Highway 193 between Fort Lane and Fairfield Road reopened after a crash seriously injured three females Thursday morning.
  
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• Greg Bell: Pollution solution? Think UTA

  15-12-2017 01:05
  Editor's note: Greg Bell is a member and the incoming chairman of the Utah Transit Authority Board of Trustees.It’s inversion season, and everyone’s talking about it. Somebody ought to do something about it! But what?Poor air quality has significant health impacts, especially for children and those with heart and lung conditions. We breathe in tiny particulates from polluted air that rest in our lungs and interfere with oxygenation and impair circulation.We can’t change the geo
  
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• Utah Sen. Mike Lee undecided on GOP tax bill

  15-12-2017 00:46
  SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Mike Lee is undecided on the latest version of the Republican tax plan.
  The Utah Republican's wavering on the sweeping reform package comes as Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., told GOP leaders Thursday that he would vote against the bill if it doesn't contain a larger expansion of the child tax credit.
  Lee and Rubio have been attached at the hip on that effort, though Lee didn't go as far as Rubio did in pulling support for the bill.
  Rubio said the credit needs to be higher
  
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• Police: Man spotted burglarizing home arrested following standoff

  15-12-2017 00:46
  TAYLORSVILLE — A man suspected of burglarizing one home and barricading himself inside another has been arrested following a standoff with police.
  The man broke into the home after police spotted him burglarizing another house in the area, Unified Police Lt. Brian Lohrke said. The home was empty at the time with the exception of a dog, which ended up in the backyard, he said.
  Officers and police K-9s surrounded the home near 5600 South and Bree Street in Taylorsville. The man initially did
  
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• Find fastest public transit route to resorts with updated Ski Utah app

  15-12-2017 00:12
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Ski Utah App has been updated to make it more convenient for skiers to get to the slopes.
  The free app, for iPhone and Android, now features a "Ride the Bus" tab that lets users find the fastest public transit route to any Utah resort. The app can be downloaded at any app store.
  Starting Saturday, all Utah Transit Authority ski bus routes will be operational from Provo to Ogden, including a new fleet servicing Snowbasin and Powder Mountain.
  Fare for a ski bus is $4.50
  
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• Congressional committee testily debates proposed national park in Utah

  15-12-2017 00:10
  SALT LAKE CITY — Local leaders' role in managing a proposed national park and three new national monuments in southern Utah led to a testy exchange between a Garfield County commissioner and an Arizona congressman during a congressional hearing Thursday.
  Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., apparently touched a nerve while probing a provision in legislation calling for a management council made up of local officials. He wanted to know how the rural county would manage and pay for management of the
  
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• District to delay garbage collection by a day due to Christmas, New Year’s Day

  15-12-2017 00:07
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Wasatch Front Waste & Recycling District is reminding customers there will be no garbage collection on Christmas Day or New Year's Day.
  Since the holidays are on a Monday this year, all collections will be delayed by one day, with Friday's collections occurring on Saturday.
  In addition, the district will be collecting Christmas trees during January. Trees should be placed on the curb and will be collected the day after customers' regular collection day. If your tre
  
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• W.V. residents may dispose of Christmas trees at 2 locations

  15-12-2017 00:05
  WEST VALLEY CITY — Residents may drop off their Christmas trees for recycling at two locations between Dec. 26 and Jan. 7.
  The dumpsters will be located at City Park, 4500 W. 3500 South, and West View Park, 6100 W. 4100 South. Trees must be free of lights, stands, nails, screws, bags and decorations before being placed in dumpsters.
  No artificial trees will be accepted, and no other trash will be collected. Residents may also use the city's bulky waste removal service to dispose of trees a
  
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