Utah news

• Utah GOP lawmakers pushing to end death penalty

  20-02-2018 23:59
  
  Republican state lawmakers, including House Speaker Greg Hughes, are again pushing to end the death penalty in Utah.
  
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• Bill requiring greater crisis line accessibility in Utah moves forward

  20-02-2018 23:38
  SALT LAKE CITY — A bill requiring all Utah suicide hotlines to be available or capable of rolling over to other lines at all times was approved by the Senate on Tuesday for a third reading.HB41 passed its second reading by a 27-0 vote, and its third reading is now tabled until later in the legislative session when state lawmakers consider which bills to prioritize funding for. The measure also requests $2.3 million in ongoing funding for Utah crisis lines.HB41's sponsor, Rep. Steve Eliason
  
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• User submitted: Photos show snowiest weekend of year

  20-02-2018 23:30
  
  Photos from KSL.com readers show just how much snow areas all across Utah got during this winter's biggest storm.
  
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• Workforce Services names new leader over programs for deaf, hard of hearing

  20-02-2018 23:20
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Department of Workforce Services' Office of Rehabilitation has selected Dan V. Mathis to oversee programs serving Utah's community of deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind individuals, as well as their families.Prior to this new role, Mathis served as an American Sign Language specialist for the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf, as part of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. While there, he taught ASL and deaf studies, and he coordinated support programs for stu
  
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• Artists sought to create ‘Whimsy Walls’ for new airport

  20-02-2018 23:20
  SALT LAKE CITY — The city's Arts Council and the Department of Airports are looking for artists interested in creating large-scale art walls for the $3 billion Salt Lake City International Airport project.The art — or "Whimsy Walls" — are vinyl wall wraps that will be created from original artwork and placed throughout the airport's 24 restrooms. The art is intended to create immersive and engaging experiences for travelers when the new airport opens in 2020.Though all subject
  
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• Woman's killer pleads guilty to burning her home down

  20-02-2018 23:07
  FARMINGTON — A man who killed his girlfriend and dumped her body before fleeing to Mexico in 2008 has now admitted to burning down the woman's home days before attacking her.Gutberto Heras-Corrales, now 42, was originally charged with aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, in connection with the fire that destroyed the trailer home belonging to his girlfriend, Noemi Rodriguez, 26.He pleaded guilty Thursday to a reduced charge of simple assault, a third-degree felony, admitting in court d
  
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• Mitt Romney jumps out to big lead in U.S. Senate race, poll shows

  20-02-2018 22:55
  SALT LAKE CITY — Mitt Romney became the instant front-runner when he announced his U.S. Senate campaign last week, as a new poll shows him with a commanding lead four days into the race.A Utahpolicy.com poll released Tuesday shows 60 percent of Utahns would vote for the former Massachusetts governor among declared and possible candidates for the office. Only Democratic Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson polled in double digits, with a meager 14 percent.Libertarian Craig Bowden and
  
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• Winter storm slows commute for second day

  20-02-2018 22:49
  
  A storm that slammed Utah with snow and cold temperatures slowed the commute for a second day Tuesday.
  
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• Peter Huntsman named chairman of Huntsman Cancer Foundation board

  20-02-2018 22:47
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Huntsman Cancer Foundation's board of directors has elected Peter R. Huntsman as chairman effective immediately. He replaces his father, Jon M. Huntsman Sr., the Huntsman Cancer Institute's founder and principal benefactor who died earlier this month."While I wish the reason for this leadership change had occurred under different, and less personally sad circumstances, I am honored to be able to work with such an able board of directors and the dedicated professionals
  
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• Romney on relationship with Trump: 'I’ve seen eye to eye with the President'

  20-02-2018 22:45
  
  A day after receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump, Utah Senate candidate Mitt Romney said he has seen “eye to eye” with the president on most issues, sidestepping noted squabbles in the past between the two.
  
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• High school coach charged with unlawful sex activity with teen

  20-02-2018 22:32
  PROVO — A high school soccer coach has been charged with engaging in sexual conduct with a teenage girl.Trevor Lawrence Ott, 31, of Salt Lake City, was charged Feb. 2 in 4th District Court with five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a 16-year-old, a third-degree felony.Ott was the head coach for the Summit Academy High School girls soccer team and assistant coach for the Bingham High School boys soccer team. He resigned from his position shortly after his arrest, according to the Summ
  
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• 19-year-old man injured in Tooele rollover crash dies

  20-02-2018 22:24
  
  A man critically injured in a rollover crash Sunday died from his injuries Monday, police said.
  
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• Judge: Man accused of assisting teen's suicide is competent

  20-02-2018 21:50
  PROVO — A Spanish Fork man accused of murder after investigators say he helped a teenager take her own life is competent to proceed to trial, a judge ruled Tuesday.Attorneys for Tyerell Przybycien, 18, requested last month that the Spanish Fork man be evaluated to determine whether he is legally capable of facing the charges against him in court.After two evaluations recommended that Przybycien is competent to proceed, 4th District Judge James Brady ordered that the case move forward, acco
  
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• Convicted burglar accused in series of new burglaries

  20-02-2018 21:39
  WEST VALLEY CITY — A suspected serial burglar accused of targeting mainly Hispanic businesses is now facing a long list of criminal charges.Aaron Alfaro Olmedo, 27, of West Valley City, was charged last week in 3rd District Court with 14 felonies and 12 misdemeanors. His charges include multiple counts of burglary, criminal mischief and engaging in a pattern of unlawful activity.Prosecutors say Olmedo, a documented gang member, "was convicted of the same pattern of unlawful activity in 201
  
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• Utah wants to vanquish 'dark places' of suicide

  20-02-2018 21:35
  SALT LAKE CITY — Taryn Hiatt and her family watched her father battle mental illness and drug addiction until he finally succumbed to its domination and took his own life.That was 15 years ago, and with each new suicide she hears of, she is reminded of his pain and the dark places she would visit in her mind as a young woman.The Teen Suicide Prevention Task Force on Tuesday unveiled its list of recommendations to set up a mental health-triage system of sorts to staunch the flow of needless
  
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• Logan High teacher charged in sexual misconduct case

  20-02-2018 21:24
  LOGAN — Criminal charges were filed Tuesday against a Logan High School teacher who police say was caught partially dressed inside a car with a teenage girl.Joseph Scott Harris, 57, of Nibley, Cache County, is charged in 2nd District Court with six counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a third-degree felony.Harris was arrested last week when Weber County sheriff's deputies investigating a suspicious vehicle in West Haven found Harris and a 15-year-old girl inside the car "in var
  
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• Shooting survivor Deserae Turner opens Utah House session, releases doves at Capitol

  20-02-2018 21:08
  SALT LAKE CITY — Shooting survivor Deserae Turner banged the gavel Tuesday to open the Utah House of Representatives.The 15-year-old Smithfield girl also released 25 doves on the front steps of the Capitol as a symbol of hope the future. Lawmakers recognized Turner's courage and bravery, and gave her a standing ovation on the House floor.Two teenage boys enticed Turner to a secluded canal, where one of them shot her in the back of the head and left her for dead last February. She is contin
  
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• Photos: Walking in a winter wonderland after massive storm

  20-02-2018 20:55
  Lester Baker and Cresty Jackson walk along a sidewalk Tuesday in Salt Lake City after more snow blanketed the valley overnight. According to KSL meteorologist Grant Weyman, Monday's massive storm dropped a record-breaking amount of snow on many parts of the state, with some valleys getting more than a foot of snow. Ski Utah reported the resorts received anywhere from 7 inches to 23 inches of snow. Since Friday, Alta racked up a total of 45 inches. The National Weather Service said Wednesday and
  
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• Utah Senate requests public comment on juvenile court nominee

  20-02-2018 20:22
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is seeking public comment on Troy Little, who was appointed by Gov. Gary Herbert to fill a vacancy on the 5th District Juvenile Court.Those who want to comment should contact Jerry Howe at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, Utah State Capitol Campus, House Building, Suite W210, P.O. Box 145210, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-5210, by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6. All statements should include the respondent's nam
  
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• Make Your Week: Teenager wins prize, gives it to toddlers; stranger helps change tire

  20-02-2018 20:15
  
  It’s Tuesday, but feels like Monday because of the holiday. To add to the woe of facing a new workweek, the snow made for a slow, slippery commute this morning.
  
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• West Valley names new police chief

  20-02-2018 19:24
  WEST VALLEY CITY — West Valley's interim police chief is expected to be appointed to the position full time.The West Valley City Council is expected to ratify Colleen Jacobs's appointment at its meeting Tuesday night.Jacobs has been serving as the department's interim chief since Sept. 8 when Chief Lee Russo announced his retirement. She was formerly known as Colleen Nolen but will now use her maiden name following her recent divorce, according to the city.She has worked her entire 21-year
  
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• State Sen. Jim Dabakis announces he won't seek re-election

  20-02-2018 18:34
  SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Jim Dabakis, an outspoken Democrat from Salt Lake City, announced Tuesday he will not seek re-election this year after serving six years in the Legislature."The citizen Legislature works only if people serve with 100 (percent) energy — then get the hell out. I leave ever optimistic about Utah's future," Dabakis tweeted, also expressing that he's "grateful to the people of SLC for allowing me to represent them."Dabakis won the seat vacated in December 2012 by now
  
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• Santa Clara-Ivins police come upon valuable sports collection, ask who owns it

  20-02-2018 18:09
  
  The Santa Clara-Ivins Police Department is seeking information that may help to locate the rightful owner of multiple sports collector items or any information pertaining to how the collection went missing in the first place.
  
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• Teen snowmobiler gets stuck, walks several miles to safety

  20-02-2018 07:29
  
  A teenager was reunited with his family after his snowmobile became stuck in a hole, forcing him to walk several miles to be located, officials said Monday night.
  
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• Snowstorm pounds Utah causing chaos on roads, skiers to rejoice

  20-02-2018 06:14
  SALT LAKE CITY — Amid an unusually warm and dry Utah winter, a snowstorm pounded the Wasatch Front on Monday causing chaos on the roads and rejoicing at the ski resorts.The late-night and early morning blizzard snarled traffic and caused delays during the Presidents Day commute and persisted throughout the afternoon as crashes continued to stack up.As of 3:30 p.m., the Utah Department of Public Safety reported 458 crashes along Wasatch Front counties. Of those crashes, four involved UHP tr
  
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• 'Living inside a painting': Zion National Park through the eyes of artists

  20-02-2018 06:00
  SPRINGDALE, Washington County — Utahns and tourists alike can appreciate the memory of glimpsing Zion National Park's stunning sandstone cliffs and wandering streams for the first time.And with spring approaching, nature lovers from around the world will soon swarm Zion's trails.Among the millions of visitors to the park every year are four artists in residence, who capture Zion in their work as it changes from day to day and season to season."We want them to make something that's pure Zio
  
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• Trump Endorses Mitt Romney’s Run for Utah Senate Seat

  20-02-2018 05:04
  Mr. Romney, who has publicly clashed with Mr. Trump in the past, has signaled he plans to serve as a check on the president if he is elected.
  
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• Ridge overlooking St. George poised to become mini-mecca of tech companies

  20-02-2018 05:01
  SALT LAKE CITY — While the explosive growth, and success, of the Utah tech sector has mostly drawn attention to companies headquartered along the Wasatch Front, the state's southern reaches have been quietly building their own innovation energy ball and may be poised to give their northern comrades a run for their money.PrinterLogic is one of the innovation companies helping lead the growth of Dixie's tech ecosystem and just announced a $15 million round of funding, led by Utah venture cap
  
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• Trump endorses Romney's Senate run

  20-02-2018 04:56
  SALT LAKE CITY — President Donald Trump announced his endorsement for Mitt Romney's Senate run via Twitter Monday night."@MittRomney has announced he is running for the Senate from the wonderful State of Utah. He will make a great Senator and worthy successor to @OrrinHatch, and has my full support and endorsement!" Trump tweeted just before 7:30 p.m. MST..@MittRomney has announced he is running for the Senate from the wonderful State of Utah. He will make a great Senator and worthy succes
  
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• National group's ad calls gun exceptions in .05 percent DUI legislation hypocritical

  20-02-2018 03:21
  SALT LAKE CITY — A national organization opposing Utah's .05 percent blood alcohol DUI limit has Rep. Norm Thurston in its sights for a bill that carves out self-defense exceptions for laws against using a firearm while intoxicated.But Thurston, R-Provo, calls a newspaper advertisement targeting him "completely misguided" and "uninformed."The full-page advertisement from the American Beverage Institute scheduled to run Tuesday in The Salt Lake Tribune calls Thurston a hypocrite, asking "To
  
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• Utah measure pushes back on ruling that boosted police power

  20-02-2018 03:01
  
  A Utah lawmaker is proposing to limit the effects of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that bolstered police power to use evidence even if officers did something wrong to get it.
  
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• Snowstorm triggers powder day frenzy, hampers commute

  20-02-2018 01:47
  
  As skiers and snowboarders rushed to the canyons to take advantage of the snowy conditions, the weather made things difficult on the roads.
  
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• Committee recommends bill legalizing sale of hemp products for qualifying licensees

  20-02-2018 01:39
  SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that would widely allow the production and sale of hemp products for qualifying license holders is set to be debated in the Utah House.HB302 authorizes the state Department of Agriculture and Food to provide a hemp-growing license to "a person who wishes to participate in an industrial hemp research pilot program," according to a summary attached to the bill.The bill also allows those who would like to produce and sell hemp-based products "to distribute the register
  
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• Safety inspections gone, but cars must still be safe, UHP warns

  20-02-2018 01:11
  SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Highway Patrol wants to remind the public that while safety inspections are no longer required in Utah, drivers are still required to have a safe vehicle.Although the new law stopped requiring safety inspections only since the first of the year, troopers have already seen a spike in the number of vehicles on the road that a year ago would not have passed the state's safety inspection standards, said UHP Lt. Todd Royce.Most of those drivers, he said, have told troo
  
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