Friday, December 6, 2013

Last Generation Network News: UTAH EDITION December 6, 2013 –FRIDAY- Tevert 3, 5774 Vol.I No.6

Last Generation Network News America

Last Generation Network News

December 6, 2013 –FRIDAY- Tevet 3, 5774

   Vol I. No.6

UTAH EDITION 

"Information is always biased by opinion" -MJS

KSL SECTION

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Martin MacNeill, the man convicted of murdering his wife, attempted to kill himself in his jail cell Thursday night.
 
Latest News & Features »

 

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Ex-congressional staffer accused of lying for VA benefits

Dennis Romboy  |  posted Dec 5th - 11:05pm
 
A West Valley City man who worked for a Utah congressman through the Wounded Warrior Project faces criminal fraud charges for allegedly lying about being injured in the Iraq war to collect disability benefits.
 
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Toddler died because of improperly installed car seat, police say

Pat Reavy  |  posted Dec 5th - 10:58pm
 
An improperly installed child seat is believed to have caused the death of an 3-year-old girl in a traffic accident Wednesday in Clinton.
 
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Goblin Valley toppling report filed at county attorney's office

Pat Reavy  |  posted Dec 5th - 10:54pm
 
The case of two former Utah Boy Scout leaders involved in pushing over a rock formation in Goblin Valley State Park is on its way to the county attorney's office.
 
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250lb ram escapes from trailer, runs free on I-15

Mary Richards  |  posted Dec 5th - 10:49pm
 
A large sheep was on the loose on I-15 Thursday morning when he broke free from the trailer he was riding in. A UHP trooper and several drivers were on hand to try and catch the sheep and return him to his owners.
 
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Nelson Mandela, 20th century colossus, dies at 95

Christopher Torchia and Marcus Eliason, Associated Press  |  posted Dec 5th - 10:46pm
 
Nelson Mandela, who became one of the world's most beloved statesmen and a colossus of the 20th century when he emerged from 27 years in prison to negotiate an end to white minority rule in South Africa, has died. He was 95.
 
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Federal website fixes allowing more Utahns to enroll in health care

Wendy Leonard  |  posted Dec 5th - 10:01pm
 
Health care navigators in Utah are more able to facilitate insurance plan enrollment with recent fixes to the federal health insurance marketplace website, healthcare.gov.
 
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$150K left in Swallow's campaign account

Dennis Romboy  |  posted Dec 5th - 9:03pm
 
John Swallow resigned as attorney general this week after raising more than $150,000 in campaign funds during the year that could be spent in a variety of ways, including on legal bills.
 
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Create a service-centered Christmas your children will love

Nicole Carpenter, ksl.com Contributor  |  posted Dec 5th - 8:36pm
 
This time of year is meant to be a season of love and service. Helping our children see past the indulgence of gifts and focus on the needs of others can be tricky. Here are four ways to create a service-focused holiday season with your children.
 
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Local shelter increases help to homeless youth during cold weather

Mike Anderson  |  posted Dec 5th - 7:51pm
 
With the season's early cold snap, Volunteers of American — along with several other organizations — are working to make sure the homeless survive the freeze.
 
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Microsoft developing a 'smart' bra

Brandon Griggs, CNN  |  posted Dec 5th - 7:33pm
 
It's no longer enough to have smartphones, smartwatches, smart TVs and smart cars. Now a tech company wants to bring artificial intelligence to lingerie.
 
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Dying man asks Utahns to come fulfill last wish, donate to charity

Whitney Evans  |  posted Dec 5th - 7:06pm
 
A Utah man suffering from terminal lung cancer is using the little time he has left to help those in need. The man only has Thursday to meet his goal and needs your help.
 
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'The Sound of Music' gets NBC makeover Thursday

Joseph Irvine, ksl.com Contributor  |  posted Dec 5th - 7:01pm
 
NBC is airing a live staged version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein beloved musical, "The Sound of Music" Thursday, Dec. 5. Featuring Carrie Underwood in the role of Maria, this represents a monumental milestone for this beloved musical.
 
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Fast-food strikes return amid push for wage hikes

Candice Choi, Associated Press  |  posted Dec 5th - 6:55pm
 
Fast-food workers and labor organizers are marching, waving signs and chanting in cities across the country Thursday amid a push for higher wages.
 
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Utah man loses 60 lbs. for his daughter's wedding

Brooke Walker  |  posted Dec 5th - 6:47pm
 
A Utah father of the bride said he lost 60 pounds for his daughter's big day.
 
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1 boy dead in Idaho elementary school bus crash

John Miller, Associated Press  |  posted Dec 5th - 6:41pm
 
A school bus collided with a dump truck Thursday morning at a rural Idaho intersection, killing an 11-year-old boy and injuring four other children.
 
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3 arrested in connection with $1M in copper thefts

Pat Reavy  |  posted Dec 5th - 6:32pm
 
Three people accused of stealing more than $1 million worth of copper wire have been booked into jail. The trio faces 75 charges including burglary, felony theft, child endangerment, and drugs.
 
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Company turns illegal guns into jewelry

Natalie Crofts  |  posted Dec 5th - 5:20pm
 
Illegal guns seized by the police are being turned into jewelry to prevent violence.
 
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SWAT uses battering ram to end standoff

Whitney Evans  |  posted Dec 5th - 5:14pm
 
A man wanted on several outstanding warrants was arrested late Wednesday following a short standoff with police at his home.
 
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'Major' drug bust in Logan, 6 arrested

Pat Reavy  |  posted Dec 5th - 4:55pm
 
Six people have been arrested in connection with what police are calling a "major" drug operation in northern Utah.
 
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'Caregiving' it all: When taking care of mom and dad impacts work-life balance

Devon Merling, Deseret News  |  posted Dec 5th - 4:32pm
 
Much of the media focus on work-life balance has covered how to juggle a career and raise children, but similar personal and professional sacrifices can be required of those who support aging parents.

 

DESERET SECTION

Expelling Santa from school? Holiday observance in a politically correct age

NATIONAL EDITION
 

As the U.S. population becomes increasingly diverse, the Christmas season becomes more challenging for school administrators. Santa Claus is not immune to the controversy.Read more »

3 hours ago

1 comment

Six arrested in 'major' northern Utah drug operation

Six people have been arrested in connection with what police are calling a "major" drug operation in northern Utah.Read more »

8 hours ago

1 comment

Ex-congressional staffer lied about war injuries to get VA benefits, prosecutors say

A West Valley City man who worked for a Utah congressman through the Wounded Warrior Project faces criminal fraud charges for allegedly lying about being injured in the Iraq war to collect... Read more »

8 hours ago

1 comment

Cold temperatures blast Wasatch Front

Residents in Weber County and along the Wasatch Front ventured out in cold temperatures Thursday, with the mercury in the 20s during the day and the teens by nightfall.Read more »

9 hours ago

0 comments

Chamber spokesman named Gov. Gary Herbert's communications director

Gov. Gary Herbert has named Marty Carpenter, an executive vice present at the Salt Lake Chamber, to serve as his communications director. Read more »

14 hours ago

0 comments

Sundance Film Festival to debut new section for young audiences

The 2014 Sundance Film Festival will include a Sundance Kids section aimed at introducing younger audiences to independent film. Read more »

14 hours ago

2 comments

Ogden man rings Salvation Army bell as dying wish

Doug Holladay says the Salvation Army saved him. On Thursday, he was able to fulfill his dying wish to give back.Read more »

16 hours ago

1 comment

Hardware Ranch hosting annual Elk Festival

The Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area has announced this year’s Elk Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Read more »

16 hours ago

0 comments

Man arrested following standoff with police in Kearns

Police and SWAT officers arrested a man after they say he barricaded himself in a Kearns home late Wednesday.Read more »

16 hours ago

0 comments

Spanish Fork to test safety siren on New Year's Day

The Spanish Fork fire and ambulance divisions will test their all-call siren at noon on New Year's Day. Read more »

16 hours ago

0 comments

Alpine selling luminaires for Christmas Eve

The tradition of luminaires lining the streets of Alpine on Christmas Eve will mark its 22nd anniversary this Christmas Eve. Read more »

17 hours ago

0 comments

Improperly installed car seat resulted in death of child, police say

An improperly installed child seat is believed to have caused the death of an 3-year-old girl in a traffic accident Wednesday in Clinton. Read more »

17 hours ago

0 comments

Cedar Hills to form water conservation committee

Cedar Hills is seeking volunteers to participate in a water conservation committee. Read more »

17 hours ago

0 comments

Family of fallen officer creates special tree to thank community

It's been three months since Draper Police Sgt. Derek Johnson was shot and killed in the line of duty. Johnson’s mother and some of her friends decided to honor him and give back to the... Read more »

18 hours ago

0 comments

4 charged in year-long copper thefts at Utah County mine

Four people have been charged in connection with a nearly year-long copper theft operation that resulted in approximately $1.5 million in losses and damages from the Trixie Mine in the Tintic... Read more »

18 hours ago

0 comments

New 40-acre community park coming to Farmington

Farmington has recently taken steps to start a 40-acre park. Mayor Scott Harbertson and the City Council have announced the project, which will be the largest park in the city when finished. Read more »

19 hours ago

0 comments

 

Six hours later, freeway cleared of semi-truck fire debris

A northbound semi truck caught fire on the freeway Thursday morning. Crews worked for almost six hours to clear water and debris that had built up from the fire. Read more »

 

TRIBUNE SECTION

Stories posted to sltrib.com since yesterday morning.
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(KUTV) When Pastor France Davis of Salt Lakes Calvary Baptist Church first heard the news of Nelson Mandelas death on Monday, he was devastated.  He was beloved.  People thought of him as a role model, and they talked about him as if he were bigger than life, said Davis.

Assistant University of Utah history professor Lauren Jarvis points out that Mandelas passion to fight for the cause of justice, despite the injustice he endured, puts him in the company of other great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr. Hes impressive for his unwavering commitment to making his country a better place, and that came at great personal loss in the form of 27 years in prison, said Jarvis.

The Chairman of Utahs Martin Luther King Commission says what he remembers most about Mandela, was his ability to peacefully bring people together, even in the face of violence and a turbulent political climate. His ability to control his anger given that he was a black man and to go through 27 years of losing his life, and then to come out and not show anger.I dont know that I could have done the same, said Winston Wilkinson. 

Davis believes the world can take a lot of positive lessons from Mandelas life, including the lesson of how to forgive.  He set the example of what it means to be reconciled.  To have reconciliation between people who have major differences that affect other people in negative ways is amazing, said Davis.

Looking back on the late South African presidents life, local leaders compare his passing to a bright light that has gone out from the world.   But they are happy to know his legacy will live on for future generations. I think in the end it will be his humanity and love for humankind that we will miss, said Wilkinson.

A service in honor of Nelson Mandela will be held this Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake at 11AM.  The public is invited to attend.

By Jonelle Merrill

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV)According to officials, convicted murderer Martin MacNeill attempted to commit suicide in the Utah County Jail Thursday.

Officials say the incident happened around 5:30pm. 

MacNeill was transported to UVRMC where he stayed overnight and was watched by security. He was not seriously hurt and is expected to be released back to jail Friday.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.)

Utah Weather for the morning of December 6: Lots of record lows this morning with single digits common along the Wasatch Front.  We have isolated lake-effect snow this morning through part of western Davis county. 

Forecast for the Wasatch Front for Today & Tonight:  We have a chance of isolated snow throughout the day.  However, the big issue is a winter storm set to hit the entire state early tomorrow morning.  Clouds will keep us in the teens tonight (instead of single digits).  And, a southwest flow will keep us from free-falling too.  This is all short-lived with another arctic blast set to move in on Sunday.

(CNN) -- Nelson Mandela, the revered statesman who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead South Africa out of decades of apartheid, has died, South African President Jacob Zuma announced late Thursday.

Mandela was 95.

"He is now resting. He is now at peace," Zuma said. "Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father."

"What made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human," the president said in his late-night address. "We saw in him what we seek in ourselves."

Mandela will have a state funeral. Zuma ordered all flags in the nation to be flown at half-staff from Friday through that funeral.

Mandela, a former president, battled health issues in recent months, including a recurring lung infection that led to numerous hospitalizations.

With advancing age and bouts of illness, Mandela retreated to a quiet life at his boyhood home in the nation's Eastern Cape Province, where he said he was most at peace.

Despite rare public appearances, he held a special place in the consciousness of the nation and the world.

A hero to blacks and whites

In a nation healing from the scars of apartheid, Mandela became a moral compass.

His defiance of white minority rule and incarceration for fighting against segregation focused the world's attention on apartheid, the legalized racial segregation enforced by the South African government until 1994.

In his lifetime, he was a man of complexities. He went from a militant freedom fighter, to a prisoner, to a unifying figure, to an elder statesman.

Years after his 1999 retirement from the presidency, Mandela was considered the ideal head of state. He became a yardstick for African leaders, who consistently fell short when measured against him.

Warm, lanky and charismatic in his silk, earth-toned dashikis, he was quick to admit to his shortcomings, endearing him further in a culture in which leaders rarely do.

His steely gaze disarmed opponents. So did his flashy smile.

Former South African President F.W. de Klerk, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with Mandela in 1993 for transitioning the nation from a system of racial segregation, described their first meeting.

"I had read, of course, everything I could read about him beforehand. I was well-briefed," he said last year.

"I was impressed, however, by how tall he was. By the ramrod straightness of his stature, and realized that this is a very special man. He had an aura around him. He's truly a very dignified and a very admirable person."

For many South Africans, he was simply Madiba, his traditional clan name. Others affectionately called him Tata, the Xhosa word for father.

A nation on edge

Mandela last appeared in public during the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa. His absences from the limelight and frequent hospitalizations left the nation on edge, prompting Zuma to reassure citizens every time he fell sick.

"Mandela is woven into the fabric of the country and the world," said Ayo Johnson, director of Viewpoint Africa, which sells content about the continent to media outlets.

When he was around, South Africans had faith that their leaders would live up to the nation's ideals, according to Johnson.

"He was a father figure, elder statesman and global ambassador," Johnson said. "He was the guarantee, almost like an insurance policy, that South Africa's young democracy and its leaders will pursue the nation's best interests."

There are telling nuggets of Mandela's character in the many autobiographies about him.

An unmovable stubbornness. A quick, easy smile. An even quicker frown when accosted with a discussion he wanted no part of.

War averted

Despite chronic political violence in the years preceding the vote that put him in office in 1994, South Africa avoided a full-fledged civil war in its transition from apartheid to multiparty democracy. The peace was due in large part to the leadership and vision of Mandela and de Klerk.

"We were expected by the world to self-destruct in the bloodiest civil war along racial grounds," Mandela said during a 2004 celebration to mark a decade of democracy in South Africa.

"Not only did we avert such racial conflagration, we created amongst ourselves one of the most exemplary and progressive nonracial and nonsexist democratic orders in the contemporary world."

Mandela represented a new breed of African liberation leaders, breaking from others of his era such as Robert Mugabe by serving one term.

In neighboring Zimbabwe, Mugabe has been president since 1987. A lot of African leaders overstayed their welcomes and remained in office for years, sometimes decades, making Mandela an anomaly.

But he was not always popular in world capitals.

Until 2008, the United States had placed him and other members of the African National Congress on its terror list because of their militant fight against the apartheid regime.

Humble beginnings

Rolihlahla Mandela started his journey in the tiny village of Mvezo, in the hills of the Eastern Cape, where he was born on July 18, 1918. His teacher later named him Nelson as part of a custom to give all schoolchildren Christian names.

His father died when he was 9, and the local tribal chief took him in and educated him.

Mandela attended school in rural Qunu, where he retreated in 2011 before returning to Johannesburg and later Pretoria to be near medical facilities.

He briefly attended University College of Fort Hare but was expelled after taking part in a protest with Oliver Tambo, with whom he later operated the nation's first black law firm.

In subsequent years, he completed a bachelor's degree through correspondence courses and studied law at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, but left without graduating in 1948.

Four years before he left the university, he helped form the youth league of the African National Congress, hoping to transform the organization into a more radical movement. He was dissatisfied with the ANC and its old-guard politics.

And so began Mandela's civil disobedience and lifelong commitment to breaking the shackles of segregation in South Africa.

Escalating trouble

In 1956, Mandela and dozens of other political activists were charged with high treason for activities against the government. His trial lasted five years, but he was ultimately acquitted.

Meanwhile, the fight for equality got bloodier.

Four years after his treason charges, police shot 69 unarmed black protesters in Sharpeville township as they demonstrated outside a station. The Sharpeville Massacre was condemned worldwide, and it spurred Mandela to take a more militant tone in the fight against apartheid.

The South African government outlawed the ANC after the massacre, and an angry Mandela went underground to form a new military wing of the organization.

"There are many people who feel that it is useless and futile for us to continue talking peace and nonviolence against a government whose reply is only savage attacks on an unarmed and defenseless people," Mandela said during his time on the run.

During that period, he left South Africa and secretly traveled under a fake name. The press nicknamed him "the Black Pimpernel" because of his police evasion tactics.

Militant resistance

The African National Congress heeded calls for stronger action against the apartheid regime, and Mandela helped launch an armed wing to attack government symbols, including post offices and offices.

The armed struggle was a defense mechanism against government violence, he said.

"My people, Africans, are turning to deliberate acts of violence and of force against the government, in order to persuade the government, in the only language which this government shows by its own behavior that it understands," Mandela said during a hearing in 1962.

"If there is no dawning of sanity on the part of the government -- ultimately, the dispute between the government and my people will finish up by being settled in violence and by force. "

The campaign of violence against the state resulted in civilian casualties.

Long imprisonment

In 1962, Mandela secretly received military training in Morocco and Ethiopia. When he returned home later that year, he was arrested and charged with illegal exit of the country and incitement to strike.

Mandela represented himself at the trial and was briefly imprisoned before being returned to court. In 1964, after the famous Rivonia trial, he was sentenced to life in prison for sabotage and conspiracy to overthrow the government.

At the trial, instead of testifying, he opted to give a speech that was more than four hours long, and ended with a defiant statement.

"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination," he said. "I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

His next stop was the Robben Island prison, where he spent 18 of his 27 years in detention. He described his early days there as harsh.

"There was a lot of physical abuse, and many of my colleagues went through that humiliation," he said.

One of those colleagues was Khehla Shubane, 57, who was imprisoned in Robben Island during Mandela's last years there. Though they were in different sections of the prison, he said, Mandela was a towering figure.

"He demanded better rights for us all in prison. The right to get more letters, get newspapers, listen to the radio, better food, right to study," Shubane said. "It may not sound like much to the outside world, but when you are in prison, that's all you have."

And Mandela's khaki prison pants, he said, were always crisp and ironed.

"Most of us chaps were lazy, we would hang our clothes out to dry and wear them with creases. We were in a prison, we didn't care. But Mandela, every time I saw him, he looked sharp."

After 18 years, he was transferred to other prisons, where he experienced better conditions until he was freed in 1990.

Months before his release, he obtained a bachelor's in law in absentia from the University of South Africa.

Calls for release

His freedom followed years of an international outcry led by Winnie Mandela, a social worker whom he married in 1958, three months after divorcing his first wife.

Mandela was banned from reading newspapers, but his wife provided a link to the outside world.

She told him of the growing calls for his release and updated him on the fight against apartheid.

World pressure mounted to free Mandela with the imposition of political, economic and sporting sanctions, and the white minority government became more isolated.

In 1988 at age 70, Mandela was hospitalized with tuberculosis, a disease whose effects plagued him until the day he died. He recovered and was sent to a minimum security prison farm, where he was given his own quarters and could receive additional visitors.

Among them, in an unprecedented meeting, was South Africa's president, P.W. Botha.

Change was in the air.

When Botha's successor, de Klerk, took over, he pledged to negotiate an end to apartheid.

Free at last

On February 11, 1990, Mandela walked out of prison to thunderous applause, his clenched right fist raised above his head.

Still as upright and proud, he would say, as the day he walked into prison nearly three decades earlier.

"As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison," he said at the time.

He reassured ANC supporters that his release was not part of a government deal and informed whites that he intended to work toward reconciliation.

Four years after his release, in South Africa's first multiracial elections, he became the nation's first black president.

"The day he was inducted as president, we stood on the terraces of the Union Building," de Klerk remembered years later. "He took my hand and lifted it up. He put his arm around me, and we showed a unity that resounded through South Africa and the world."

Broken marriage, then love

His union to Winnie Mandela, however, did not have such a happy ending. They officially divorced in 1996 after several years of separation.

For the two, it was a fiery love story, derailed by his ambition to end apartheid. During his time in prison, Mandela wrote his wife long letters, expressing his guilt at putting political activism before family. Before the separation, Winnie Mandela was implicated in violence, including a conviction for being an accessory to assault in the death of a teenage township activist.

Mandela found love again two years after the divorce.

On his 80th birthday, he married Graca Machel, the widow of former Mozambique president, Samora Machel.

Only three of Mandela's children are still alive. He has 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren

Symbolic rugby

South Africa's fight for reconciliation was epitomized at the 1995 rugby World Cup Final in Johannesburg, when it played heavily favored New Zealand.

As the dominant sport of white Afrikaners, rugby was reviled by blacks in South Africa. They often cheered for rivals playing their national team.

Mandela's deft use of the national team to heal South Africa was captured in director Clint Eastwood's 2009 feature film "Invictus," starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, the white South African captain of the rugby team.

Before the real-life game, Mandela walked onto the pitch, wearing a green-and-gold South African jersey bearing Pienaar's number on the back.

"I will never forget the goosebumps that stood on my arms when he walked out onto the pitch before the game started," said Rory Steyn, his bodyguard for most of his presidency.

"That crowd, which was almost exclusively white ... started to chant his name. That one act of putting on a No. 6 jersey did more than any other statement in bringing white South Africans and Afrikaners on side with new South Africa."

During his presidency, Mandela established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate human rights abuses during apartheid. He also introduced housing, education and economic development initiatives designed to improve the living standards of the black majority.

A promise honored

In 1999, Mandela did not seek a second term as president, keeping his promise to serve only one term. Thabo Mbeki succeeded him in June of the same year.

After leaving the presidency, he retired from active politics, but remained in the public eye, championing causes such as human rights, world peace and the fight against AIDS.

It was a decision born of tragedy: His only surviving son, Makgatho Mandela, died of AIDS at age 55 in 2005. Another son, Madiba Thembekile, was killed in a car crash in 1969.

Mandela's 90th birthday party in London's Hyde Park was dedicated to HIV awareness and prevention, and was titled 46664, his prison number on Robben Island.

A resounding voice

Mandela continued to be a voice for developing nations.

He criticized U.S. President George W. Bush for launching the 2003 war against Iraq, and accused the United States of "wanting to plunge the world into a Holocaust."

And as he was acclaimed as the force behind ending apartheid, he made it clear he was only one of many who helped transform South Africa into a democracy.

In 2004, a few weeks before he turned 86, he announced his retirement from public life to spend more time with his loved ones.

"Don't call me, I'll call you," he said as he stepped away from his hectic schedule.

'Like a boy of 15'

But there was a big treat in store for the avid sportsman.

When South Africa was awarded the 2010 football World Cup, Mandela said he felt "like a boy of 15."

In July that year, he beamed and waved at fans during the final of the tournament in Johannesburg's Soccer City. It was his last public appearance.

"I would like to be remembered not as anyone unique or special, but as part of a great team in this country that has struggled for many years, for decades and even centuries," he said. "The greatest glory of living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time you fall."

CNN's Robyn Curnow, Michael Martinez, Matt Smith and Alanne Orjoux contributed to this report.

By Faith Karimi

The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2013 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.

(KUTV) On paper, it looks like wine lovers are facing a global grape shortage.  Morgan Stanley analysts predict that demand would outstrip supply in the coming years, citing a shortfall of 300 million cases in 2012, leading to worries about availability and higher costs.  Growers say it is too early to hit the panic button.  That decline opens up a ripe opportunity for growers in the U.S., Australia and Argentina and other so called new world producers.  Wine is now grown in all 50 states.

By: Holly Menino

Video Courtesy of Associated Press.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.) 

(KUTV) Dean Rottini and his brother in law were in his home on a tranquil afternoon when a pickup truck pulling a construction trailer plowed into his living room in Taylorsville Wednesday.

Chris Jones spoke with the family and has more on what happened in Taylorsville.   


(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) Attorneys for a man convicted of kidnapping and murdering a 15-year-old Hyrum girl more than 13 years ago asked the Utah Supreme Court on Thursday for a new trial.

Trisha Autry vanished in June 2000. Nearly one year after her disappearance, her body was found dismembered and burned, buried at a Cache County research facility where Cody Lynn Nielsen worked. 

Nielsen was arrested and, in late January 2004, a jury convicted him of aggravated murder, aggravated kidnapping and two counts of desecration of a dead body, according to the Utah Attorney General's Office. He was sentenced to life without parole.

"It definitely was difficult. It was a long process to the trial," said Trisha's sister, Heather Autry. "The trial was long, but we got a conviction, which is what we wanted. We wanted to get Cody off the streets."

Members of the Autry family were in court on Thursday morning, as Nielsen's attorney, Craig Peterson, argued that a change of venue that never happened warrants a retrial. The Cache County judge decided to move the 2004 case to Davis County because of the possibility of publicity influencing the jury. But, for a reason unknown to both the state and the defense, he chose to stay on the case and bused jurors from Box Elder County every day to his Logan courtroom.

"The judge in court that’s handling the case and says, 'Venue's improper here. This court shouldn't handle the case,' shouldn’t be making any more decisions regarding the case," Peterson said.  "How do you allow a judge to maintain control of a case when he's already determined he can't do the case?"

Both Peterson and Assistant Utah Attorney General Karen Klucznik agreed that the jurors were impartial, and that, according to Klucznik is all that matters.   

"Technically, as a matter of court rule and statute, the case should have been boxed up and sent to Davis county," Klucznik said. "But there doesn't appear to be any prejudice in this case."

Peterson also claimed deliberating jurors considered Nielsen's previous conviction but didn't know the felony had been reduced to a misdemeanor.

"The jury was given a copy of the conviction, so the jury knew that it was a felony conviction at the time the conviction was entered," Klucznik admitted, adding that she believes the jury was informed that the felony had been reduced to a misdemeanor but she can't remember.

Peterson said he was prepared to argue six issues in total before the high court, including "ineffective assistance of counsel for allowing the case to be moved back."

Trisha would have turned 29 on Dec. 12.

"Trisha was the youngest sister and a little precocious. A little mischievous. She was very sociable," Heather said. "She was young when she disappeared. And so, unfortunately, I don’t think we got to the point where we really knew who Trisha was, which was the hardest part. She was only 15."

The justices took the matter under advisement with a ruling to come at an undetermined date. The Autrys hope the court chooses not to start a new trial.

"If we have to go through it, we have to go through it, and there's nothing else we can do," Heather said.

By Christine McCarthy

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) An early morning fire in Salt Lake turns into an ice show for firefighters as water and hoses freeze up. 

But fire crews say it's just all part of the challenges they face when temperatures drop way below freezing. 

At station six at 800 South and 900 West in Salt Lake City firefighters can be seen cleaning up after coming back from fighting that early morning blaze. 

The fire started just before 3 o'clock in the morning when a semi-truck loaded with furniture caught fire in the northbound lanes on I-15 and 600 south. 

It took firefighters three hours to put the blaze out and they say the reason it took so long is because of the freezing temperatures. 

"It just creates a bad situation," said Capt. Tony Allred from Salt Lake City Fire Department.  "You can imagine the kind of environment that creates, people working in that spray it and it immediately freezes on you . I was looking at my guys I could see the ice on their helmets." 

Allred says since the water wasn't working they used brine water or salt water from a Utah Department of Transportation truck to fight the blaze. 

"It did work. It actually worked very well," said Allred. 

Fighting fires in freezing temperatures in Utah is of course nothing new, but every season it creates some real challenges for firefighters. 
                
"It freezes on your hoses it makes hoses very difficult to maneuver around. It freezes on personal protective equipment," said Allred. 
 
"It's pretty miserable," said Battalion Chief Greg Reynolds with Unified Fire Authority. 

He's been a firefighter for 18 years, and knows all too well the challenges of fighting a fire in below freezing temperatures. 

"The more water you make the bigger ice rink you turn it into," said Reynolds. 

Reynolds remembers very well one freezing fire fight. 

"The hell gate fire. Up in Alta in 2006," he said. "We had wind chill it was estimated at 42 degrees below zero." 

And things started to break and freeze. 

"The outriggers  on my ladder truck actually froze to the road," said Reynolds. "The water expanded turned to ice and expanded and cracked a couple of pumps." 

All of that just because of cold temperatures. 

The other big problem firefighter's face are injuries from falling on the ice.

Unified Fire says they've actually had to get crews spiked shoe covers to keep them from slipping and sliding all over the place. 

By Dan Rascon

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) It's not a wave, but there may be ripples over cutting off water for Utah's new NSA data center in Bluffdale.

A 'group' calling itself offnow.org has gone online, and produced a video, pitching a local approach to respond to perceived NSA abuses---in the wake of disclosures by Edward Snowden, and a myriad of news reports that followed. 

"We're elevating this as an option, far-fetched as it may seem to some," said Utah political blogger and Libertarian think tank founder Connor Boyack.

Boyack said the NSA center---with functions that are still unknown---cannot operate computer servers without water to cool them.  He said he recently obtained a water contract, and told 2News the center is using more than a million gallons a day.

He said his nascent Libertas Institute fosters education---but its views of using water as a way to push back against the NSA line up with the online effort.

Bluffdale City---after buying the water wholesale from the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District---in turn sells it 'retail' to the NSA.  The Salt Lake Tribune reported the city gave the NSA "a deal."

City Manager Mark Reid said the water contract was good for Bluffdale residents, and that as part of the agreement. the NSA built infrastructure, including a three million gallon tank, and water recycling capability.

Bluffdale Mayor Derk Timothy said he would not consider shutting down NSA's water, telling 2News the new data center and the city "negotiated in good faith."

Asked how long the water contract lasts, the mayor replied---"in perpetuity."

By Brian Mullahy

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) Tonight is the night many European children set out their shoes hoping for a treat from St, Nicholas. And for the second year in a row Utahans can celebrate a European Christmas with friends and neighbors. This is the Place Heritage Park is hosting "Christkindlmarkt" a traditional German Christmas Market. It's a 3 day event that coincides this year with St. Nicholas day and kicked off with a special  guest this evening. Arguably Utah's most famous German resident  LDS Church Leader  Dieter  Uchtdorf.

At dark you could hear children singing the traditional Christmas Carol "O Tannenbaum" as families huddled around fires.  Allyson Chard, the inspiration behind the event says, "if you want to get into the feeling of the holidays this is the place to be." She created the traditional Christmas market last year. She lived with her family in Germany for two years and grew to love the tradition found in small German villages and decided to bring the excitement to Utah.  President Uchtdorf recalls, " all over Germany these are the Christkindle markets we have there but this is different. This is special." Traditional Christkindle markets  sell local food and wares but this local event is one that also celebrates service. Uchtdorf spoke to the crowd on St, Martin and his tradition of service, "I'm grateful for those children and young people in the community who come together and celebrate St. Martin's day- it's a symbol of taking care for the community. Of your neighbor of those who are poor."

Kathy Peterson in charge of the service portion explains, "our projects are designed by the children and executed and they come up here to celebrate." Children across the state have worked on service projects in their schools and communities culminating in a gift of donations this week. And tonight a parade of lights where their "lanterns symbolize the light they bring into the life of others on this cold night." While the air was brisk  - President Uchtdorf and his wife found it fitting, "This is German here- it is a cold night, it is clear, the moon is up next to Venus. It is a romantic evening." A night no doubt to be capped off with the traditions of their homeland and St Nicholas.  Harriet Uchtdorf explained that, "on a day like this we put our shoes outside with all the family and children and the next morning you find something in your shoes- some goodies."

The Uchtdorfs love this time of year and hope families will take advantage of this season. President Uchtdorf wished that as a State we might, "be more forgiving, a little kinder and this is irrespective of religion of political Orientation or race whatever- you come together and do something for others and celebrate this time, a joyful time."
If you want to drop by you still have two days from 11-8 to squeeze in some shopping and traditional German food tasting. For more information:http://www.thisistheplace.org/todays_fun/christkindlmarkt.html

By Heidi Hatch

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) Full Medicaid Expansion is politically dead in Utah – but a specially tailored state plan could still pass, according to former Lt. Governor Greg Bell. Bell spoke at a Utah Health Policy conference Thursday morning.

“I don’t think the legislature will expand the Medicaid to 138% of poverty,” said Bell. 

Bell was Utah Lt. Govenor until a few weeks ago. He said Thursday that the offer from President Obama to Utah of a big expansion of Medicaid seems politically dead in the legislature – and the legislature has veto. 

“As a practical matter, the legislature has to finance this,” Bell said. 

But Bell says Utah may work out a special deal to get help to Utahns below poverty. Bell also says Utah could make a case to the Federal Government for such a deal. 

“Everybody has the option to get insurance. I think if we said that, we could be successful.”

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.)
(KUTV) What would you do with one of your last days on earth?

How would you spend those precious minutes?

Doug Holladay knows exactly what he will do.

"This is going to be my last Christmas, 

“He explains.  "I'm going to make it count.  That's why I'm here."

Doug Holladay is dying. 

Terminal lung cancer has robbed him of his ability to walk, to breathe on his own.

His body is growing weaker, but not his spirit.

"He heard we were shot 30 thousand dollars short in our kettle efforts and short volunteers and he wanted to help right away," says Lt. Sam Lemar of the Salvation Army

Help the very agency Doug says saved him.

" I didn't know how to love myself, they loved me until I could love myself," he says.

Doug says he learned to love himself enough to end a vicious cycle of alcohol and drug abuse.  His life changed, he says.  Then he got sick.

Terminal lung cancer moved quickly.  The past seven months of Doug's life have been filled with seven hospital stays.  

Months of painful treatments that no longer work.

Now, he says the time has come.

"The doctors say I might make not make it until Christmas," says Doug.

And so with this, one of his final days on this earth, Doug Holladay will ring the Salvation Army bell.

Filling the red kettle that fills the needs of so many.

The red kettle that on this day, fulfills a man’s dying wish.

"He's giving one of his last few days on earth and that's an amazing thing," says Lemar.  "If he can do that, we can sure do a lot more can't we?"

Doug hopes to fill the kettle outside the Riverdale Walmart store at least three times.  He says, if he has to, he'll stay out all night to make that happen.

By: Roxeanne Vainuku

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.) 

(KUTV) A truck caught fire on I-15 early Thursday morning, forcing crews to close the ramp from I-15 to I-80. 

According to the drivers of the truck, the fire seemed to started around one of the tire. The drivers say the pulled off to the side of the road to see if there was anything they could do, but the flames began to move quickly.

The drivers, who are based out of California, were hauling wood cabinets and furniture when they noticed the problem with the tire. The two called for help, but the flames had already covered the entire truck.

Fire crews quickly arrived on scene and began working to extinguish the flames. One of their big concerns, according to officials, was that the truck may have hazardous materials. The products inside, however, ended up being wood. 

Fire crews are facing additional hazardous fighting the flames due to the extreme cold temperatures. Officials say water used to douse the flames froze up on the freeway creating a sheet of ice. 

Utah Highway Patrol continues to work to clear the burned truck from the road and make sure that the ice is cleared for commuters. UDOT is working to salt the frozen freeway.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.)
(KUTV) Three men were taken to the hospital after a truck hauling a trailer filled with construction equipment smashed through the picture window of a home at 5784 Ferron Circle in Taylorsville.

It happened just before 2 p.m. when family members say Ben Pearson, 54, potentially blacked out while driving and smashed into the house where Dean Rottini, his dog Nicki and his friend Tommy Gonzales were watching TV.  

Both men suffered injuries, including several lacerations to Rottini's face, and an injury to Gonzales's hip.  For a moment, Nicki, a 1-year-old Chihuahua was lost, but fire fighters managed to find the dog hiding in the splintered wood inside the home.

A relative of Pearson's says this is not the first time he has passed out.  Emily Pearson says her father-in-law collapsed inside his home last year and had to be rushed to the hospital. 

Wednesday night both Rottini and Gonzales have been released from Intermountain Medical Center, Pearson remains in the hospital for observation.

By Chris Jones 

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Hackers have stolen usernames and passwords for nearly two million accounts at Facebook, Google, Twitter, Yahoo and others, according to a report released this week.

The massive data breach was a result of keylogging software maliciously installed on an untold number of computers around the world, researchers at cybersecurity firm Trustwave said. The virus was capturing login credentials for key websites over the past month and sending those usernames and passwords to a server controlled by the hackers 

On Nov. 24, Trustwave researchers tracked that server, located in the Netherlands. They discovered compromised credentials for 93,000 websites, including:

318,000 Facebook accounts 70,000 Gmail, Google and YouTube accounts 60,000 Yahoo accounts 22,000 Twitter accounts 9,000 Odnoklassniki accounts (a Russian social network) 8,000 ADP.accounts 8,000 LinkedIn accounts

Trustwave notified these companies of the breach. They posted their findings publicly on Tuesday.

"We don't have evidence they logged into these accounts, but they probably did," said John Miller, a security research manager at Trustwave.

Facebook and Twitter told CNNMoney they have since reset passwords for all of its compromised users. Google, Yahoo, ADP and LinkedIn did not provide immediate responses for comment.

Miller said the team doesn't yet know how the virus got onto so many computers. Since the hackers set up the keylogging software to rout information through a proxy server, it's impossible to track down which computers are infected.

Among the compromised data are 41,000 credentials used to connect to File Transfer Protocol (FTP, the standard network used when working from home) and 6,000 remote log-ins. 

The hacking campaign started secretly collecting passwords on Oct. 21. The campaign could still be ongoing: Although Trustwave discovered the Netherlands proxy server, Miller said there are several other similar servers they haven't yet tracked down.

Want to know whether your computer is infected? Just searching programs and files won't be enough, because the virus running the background is hidden, Miller said. Your best bet is to update your antivirus software and download the latest patches for Internet browsers, Adobe and Java.

Of all the compromised services, Miller said he is most concerned with ADP. Those log-ins are typically used by payroll personnel who manage workers' paychecks. Any information they can see can be viewed by hackers.

"They might be able to cut checks, modify people's payments," Miller speculated.
   

By Jose Pagliery

 The-CNN-Wire
 ™ & © 2013 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
(KUTV) Ellie Hayward is unable to talk or smile but she warms the hearts and feet of hundreds of people every holiday season. 

Ellie’s Bells provide warm socks with a special message to hospitals and care centers along the Wasatch Front. She is this week’s Pay It Forward recipient. 

Learn more about Ellie’s condition and how you can help her great cause at either https://www.facebook.com/pages/Poems-by-Currer-Ellis-and-Acton-Bell/104068299629773/ellies.bells.9?viewer_id=1010962613 or http://elliesbells17.blogspot.com

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) In November, Get Gephardt reported how Jen Palmer's husband's credit score is ruined - all because Kleargear.com reported him as a deadbeat to the nation's credit bureaus. His supposed debt is a fine of $3500 that was levied against him after his wife wrote a negative review about the company.

Jen says the review, which complains about not being able to reach anyone with customer service, was accurate.  But that review violated a non-disparagement clause that was buried in Kleargear.com's terms of sale, according to an earlier statement to Get Gephardt from the company.

Jen says it's been a rough not being able to get a loan to buy a new car or even finance a furnace repair for their Layton home.

"I want this off my husband's credit report," she said. "I want to not have to worry that were not going to be approve for financing."

Get Gephardt's original story has been seen by people all over the world including the Washington D.C. based Public Citizen's Litigation Group which is now representing Jen and her husband against Kleargear.com.

In a letter from Public Citizen's Litigation Group to Kleargear.com, the litigators argue that the non-disparagement clause is unconstitutional. The letter demands Kleargear.com remove the non-disparagement clause from their terms of sale permanently to protect future customers.

As for Jen and her husband, their lawyer demands Kleargear.com clear-up their besmirched credit score and also pay the Layton couple $75,000 for their hardship.

According to Scott Michelman, a staff attorney with the Public citizen litigation group, he has not yet heard a reply to the letter. The letter asks for a response by December 16, 2013. Michelmansays the U.S. Postal Service confirms the letter was delivered on November 29, 2013.
Michelman says that is Kleargear.com does not respond they will take the Palmer's case to court.

By Matt Gephardt
Produced by Stephanie Clemens
Edited by Aaron Colborn
Photography by Mike Fessler

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) The American Red Cross is asking for financial contributions to help secure housing for several Brigham City families displaced by an apartment fire. 

The fire struck Monday around 7:30 p.m. at an apartment complex at 58 n. Main Street. The wind-swept flames spread quickly through the connected attic space and left seven apartments uninhabitable.

Initially, residents from 20 units were forced to sleep elsewhere, but most were able to return home once gas and electricity were restored to the apartments. 

Of the residents who are still without permanent housing, most are staying with family and friends. However, as of Wednesday night, the Red Cross reports that over a dozen people are still staying at a temporary shelter. 

"Most of them will be starting over from scratch," said Scott Vest with the American Red Cross Utah Chapter. "Several people came out without even socks or shoes."

Vest says the community has been very generous with donations of food and clothing. However, he says the real need is for financial assistance to help families obtain housing. 

"Money can be used for many different things," Vest said. "Where, if you've got a coat it only works for a coat."

Displaced residents may need monetary assistance to pay for utility hook-ups, security deposits and first month's rent for new apartments, Vest explained. Also, families will need furniture and other household items. 

"Even though you may have a place over your head, it's still not inhabitable if you don't have the necessities of life," he said. 

"I know that there's about 14, 15 different children that don't have a home anymore," said Sammi Apodaca, whose apartment was destroyed in the fire. 

Apodaca and her family have found a new apartment, but can't move in yet. In the meantime they are staying with family. She says she is worried about the other families who don't have the money to secure a new place to live. 

"The community has come out and helped so much," she said. 

For more information on how to donate to the Utah Chapter of the American Red Cross, visit: www.redcross.org/utah

By Ladd Egan 

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah health officials say the diagnosis for the federal government's online insurance marketplace is improving from October when only 350 people in the state were actually able to buy insurance.

Utah Health Policy Project Executive Director Matt Slonaker said Thursday that technical glitches with the website have improved and many more people have enrolled.

Slonaker and other Utah health care experts met in downtown Salt Lake City on Thursday to discuss the rollout of the law and what to expect next.

The state is still facing a looming decision about whether to open Medicaid to more people.

The federal government has offered to pick up a majority of the cost, but Utah leaders say they're concerned Washington, D.C., may not be able to keep that promise down the road.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
(KUTV) In Washington D.C. Wednesday, the D.C. council voted to raise the minimum wage there to 11-50 an hour, making it one of the highest rates in the nation. Now the president wants to see that happen around the country.

President Obama targeted the widening wealth gap in a speech Wednesday encouraging congress to take measures to close it.

The president acknowledged the frustration most Americans feel with Washington regarding the economy and spoke to easing those concerns and making the economy work for everyone.

This comes as fast food workers across the country prepare to strike Thursday, protesting low wages. 

The Bureau of Labor statistics says the median wage for fast food workers is $9 an hour. Those on strike want a federal minimum wage of $15 an hour.

A private survey finds 215 thousand jobs were created in the U.S. last month, making it the best month for hiring in a year. 

A better picture of the labor market will be presented on Friday when the government releases November's unemployment numbers.

November is historically a good month for employment growth as business hire temporary holiday workers.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) In some ways, JFK Airport is like a small city.  About 40,000 people work here, nearly 50 million passengers a year pass through and like a small city, it has a diverse religious population.  The airport also has a catholic chapel, a synagogue and a mosque.  Clergy respond to a range of spiritual needs from anxieties about air travel to dealing with tragedy.  He says the airport chaplains all work together to help keep passengers and airport crew grounded in their faith.

By: Holly Menino

Video Courtesy of Associated Press.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.) 
(KUTV) After five months of renovations, the 100 year-old Capitol Theatre is ready to welcome audiences again.  

The work was finished just in time for the opening of The Nutcracker in a few days.  "It's a gem and she looks great for 100," said Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams of the theatre.  

Six million dollars were spent on adding a new ticket and concessions area in the lobby, refurbishing every seat in the theatre, adding new carpeting and a new electric elevator to replace the old, hydraulic orchestra pit elevator.  None of the improvements compromise the luxurious details or old charm of the venue.

Next door to the theatre is phase two of the renovations.  The Ballet West Academy building is being constructed and will open next fall.  Its lobby will connect to the Capitol Theatre lobby.

McAdams said by the time the Ballet West building is finished, the cost will be 32 million dollars for everything.  Taxpayers will cover half that cost. The other half comes from private donors and businesses.  

The Theatre's new official name:  Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre, reflects major donations from the Quinney Lawson family.

By Cristina Flores

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) Terrifying moments for a Salt Lake father as his van is stolen with his two year old son still in the back seat. 

The father had left his mini-van idling to keep it warm for his son while he quickly ran inside his business to grab something. 

"When I went inside she [the suspect] run and grab the van," said Jose Rubio to 2News' Dan Rascon as he points out where it all happened on Tuesday morning. "Oh so scared for a moment I feel like I lost my baby." 

It was 8:15 in the morning when Rubio pulled his white mini-van next to his Salt Lake City Business near 800 south and 900 west. 
 
He then ran inside to grab his boys blanket. 

The van was idling and his son. Emanuel, was in the back seat. 

That's when police say 27-year-old Juana Marie Valdez, who was standing nearby jumped into the driver's seat and drove away. 
                
Seconds later Rubio came outside.

"Hey where is my van? I look like that every direction over there and I didn't see my van anymore," said Rubio. 

Rubio ran and flagged down a Salt Lake City police officer who happened to be driving nearby. 

"I didn't know what to think. What's going to happen with my baby," said Rubio. 

Fortunately police say once Valdez realized there was a child in the van she turned around and drove back to the scene of the crime. 

Rubio was reunited with his son and Valdez was arrested and booked into jail. 

"I just need to say thank God because she come back with the baby," said Rubio. 

"Just a matter of seconds," said Det. Veronica Montoya with the Salt Lake City Police Department as she speaks about how long it takes for someone to steal an idling car. 

That's why police say never leave your car unlocked and idling. 

"There are people out there who are just waiting to see if someone leaves the car running. They will get in and driver off with your vehicle," said Montoya. 

And Rubio says especially don't leave your kids alone in an idling car. 

"Never, never leave the kids even for a minute, because you know people just watching you," said Rubio. 

Rubio says one of his customers grabbed the suspect when she returned and held her until police arrived.

Valdez was booked into the Salt Lake County jail for possession of a stolen vehicle. 

Montoya says they are not looking to charge her with kidnapping since she immediately turned the car around after realizing a child was inside. 

By: Dan Rascon

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.)
(KUTV) A legal battle over same sex marriage in Utah headed to a crowded U.S. District courtroom in downtown Salt Lake City; and after lawyers in dueling "summary judgment" motions were finished talking, a judge said he has his "hands full" in reaching a decision.

"You've only complicated the task for me," said Judge Robert Shelby, as he complimented attorneys at the end of the session, which stretched for several hours.  

Three same sex couples have challenged Utah law and a state constitutional amendment that defines marriage between one man and one woman.

"To rely on tradition is not a particularly great argument," said Kate Call, one of the plaintiffs, outside the courthouse.  Moudi Sbeiety, who stood next to partner Derek Kitchen said "We just want to get married."

Lawyers from the Utah Attorney General's Office said it's up to citizens of the state to decide, and roughly ten years ago, voters overwhelmingly passed Amendment 3 to the Utah Constitution---codifying only heterosexual marriage.

"It is evidence of the strong commitment of the people to abide with what the traditional definition of marriage has always been," said Assistant Attorney General Phil Lott.  "The state is concerned with fostering responsible procreation and generating an environment where children will be raised by their biological mother and father."

Further, Lott said a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision which struck down a section of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, "does not establish a universal right to same sex marriage."

"There's a clear line of authority from the Supreme Court that says you cannot allow a popular vote to decide citizens' constitutional rights," said Peggy Tomsic, an attorney representing the same sex couples.  She said the Utah vote for Amendment 3 "doesn't matter."

The couples' motion said the state is "depriving and will deprive Plaintiffs of numerous rights," and that "this Court must strike down Amendment 3 and the Marriage Discrimination Statutes."

The state's motion for summary judgment said the U.S. Constitution "does not require States to recognize same-sex marriage.  The Plaintiffs have not met their burden of proof."

Judge Shelby listened, at times challenged attorneys on both sides, and indicated he will rule soon---perhaps by early January.

By Brain Mullahy

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Gov. Gary Herbert is calling for an additional $260 million for education in his budget proposal for next year.

The governor's office released Herbert's recommendations Wednesday for the state's $13.3 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.

The proposal does not recommend any new taxes or additional debt to pay for road or building projects.

Budget forecasts show that in the upcoming year the state will have an extra $338 million, about $130 million of which can be spent on one-time projects.

Herbert is recommending those investments go toward a new building at Weber State University, expanding the Gunnison Prison and making state vehicles more energy efficient.

The governor's proposal goes to the Legislature, which convenes in January and will set the state budget.

MICHELLE L. PRICE, Associated Press

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
(KUTV) A fatal car accident took place near Clinton Elementary around 3 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. 

Reports say a car was headed westbound when it veered into the opposite lane where it collided with an eastbound vehicle.

Officers say the westbound driver had two children in the car, one was pronounced dead. The driver and other child passenger were taken to the hospital in critical condition. 

The driver of the eastbound vehicle was also taken to the hospital in critical condition.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) After a year and a half of construction and far more planning, the Sugar House Streetcar is up and running.

"It's awesome. Finally. A dream in the works for several years, and we're excited it's going to be open on December 8th," said senior project manager for the streetcar, Jim Webb, of Utah Transit Authority. "It's very unique. I don't know of another one in the nation that's similar to this."

The streetcar, called the S-Line, runs on an old freight corridor, and soon a green trail system will be on each side of the rails. 

"Whether they're going to be playing bocce on the side of the linear park or sitting on a bench enjoying the street art, or riding the streetcar," Webb said.

Though it resembles other UTA trains, the single car travels at an average of 15 miles per hour and stops every two blocks. The line is about two miles long and has seven stops from the Central Pointe station at 2100 south to Fairmont Park in the heart of Sugar House.

"You've got some residents, some business, you have some industrial areas in the corridor," Webb said.  "Over time, it will likely drive some economic development."

Indeed, economic growth was the goal. Most of the funding for the project came from a Tiger Grant from the United States Department of Transportation, amounting to $26 million.

Bill Smithers, owner of Sugar House Barbecue Company, didn't initially benefit from the location of the line, one foot from his property.

"There's no way that we were going to stay in business. We lost 80 percent of our parking," Smithers said, adding that accessibility for drivers became nearly impossible.

Smithers had to take out a big loan to move his restaurant that boasts "every kind of meat you can imagine" in Memphis dry rub to a location a few blocks away. It's now at 880 east 2100 south. But Smithers was leasing UTA land at a good price and knew he might have to move someday. He has no hard feelings.

"None whatsoever," Smithers said. "Make lemonade out of lemons We've got a better building, better accessibility, better visually. It worked out great for us."

Most businesses in the area are expected to thrive, Webb said.

The line opens officially on Dec. 8th, and, by 2030, UTA expects 2,000 daily riders. 

"It drives development in the area, and people are excited about it," Webb said.

The streetcar runs Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on Sundays during shorter hours. The standard fare is $2.50, but UTA is offering a $1 promotional fare for those who pay electronically. On Dec. 7th, UTA will host a community celebration for the S-Line Streetcar from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Anyone who brings a non-perishable food item to be donated to the Utah Food Bank can ride the streetcar for free.

By Christine McCarthy

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) It's "digging out" day after that winter storm that blew through our area and now one local city admits it blew it when it came to clearing roads.

Cottonwood Heights recently became the first city to drop county snow removal services and used a private contractor instead.

Residents say things didn't go well. 

Streets didn't get plowed, main arterials got caked with ice and snow and residents say the city is to blame.

Cottonwood Heights Mayor Kelvyn Cullimore admits handling of the storm was problematic.

"We had contracted with a new company for snow removal, it was their first outing and they failed miserably,"says Cullimore.

Cottonwood Heights turned over its public works to private company Terracare as of November.

Cullimore says, when the storm hit, Terracare supervisors didn't deploy all of the company's resources and once it did, the mayor says they could never quite catch up.

Police had to shut down Fort Union Blvd for a time because there were so many slide offs.

The horror stories quickly buried the mayor's email inbox.

The mayor met with Terracare representatives and says he's working with them to pinpoint mistakes.

Terracare flew an executive out from Denver to help sort out what happened. 

The mayor says he'll be watching very closely to see whatever problems solved and if they're not, he'll be forced to look for an alternative which is a process that would take months.

By Roxeanne Vainuku

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) A board of state regulators has adopted a set of comprehensive plans to cut chronic air pollution along the heavily populated urban corridor of northern Utah.

The plans won't achieve federal air quality standards for four more years at the earliest and by then, Utah may have to find ways to cut emissions further.

The Utah Air Quality Board acted Wednesday, adopting regulations that for the greater Salt Lake region are supposed to reduce emissions by 247 tons a day.

Other plans are taking effect for Utah and Cache counties.

The regulations cover everything from industrial smokestacks to household products. Utah is banning the sale of aerosols like hair spray with high concentrations of hydrocarbons. Another regulation requires hamburger joints to install catalytic converters for open broilers.

Most of northern Utah's air pollution comes from tailpipe emissions.

PAUL FOY, Associated Press

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Court records show four people suspected of stealing copper from a Utah County mine and causing damage to the property are facing felony charges.

The Daily Herald reports that charges were filed in state court Wednesday against Faith Fernandes, Richard Fernandes, Robert Valdez and JJ Lnu.

The group is accused of making multiple trips to Trixie Mine near Eureka over the past year to steal copper wire and cable to sell.

The mine's property manager Adren Underwood told The Salt Lake Tribune that the estimated damage to the mine was more than half a million dollars.

The Utah County Public Defender's Office said that attorney Lisa Estrada was representing the group but was out of the office Wednesday and unavailable to comment on the case.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
(KUTV) Snow was the story all day Monday, but from here on out the plot turns to black ice. 

The story changes with plummeting temps and possibility for black ice. UDOT switched shifts with a fresh crew that will work 15 hours straight to ensure a safe morning commute.

Ken Syme a UDOT manager has a game plan, "we're going to do anti icing procedures tonight and that's all we can do when temperatures drop. Lots of salt and brine to get it cleared for the morning commute." The salt they use comes from Redmond Utah, if you've used Real Salt from a local grocery store it is the same thing. The natural minerals help melt ice at lower temperatures compared to regular white table salt.

UDOT crews work to keep up with the storms though they say keeping up with Mother Nature is impossible. She always wins. Drivers can't control conditions like the below freezing temps, they're also left battling stupid humans. That's where we can help.

Syme says, "If everyone would back off and stay away from us it would make our jobs earlier." If he sounds a little grouchy, cut him some slack. You have to think about his end goal. As he explains it, "we're all headed to the same place work or family and we want everybody to get there!"

He says drivers often underestimate the danger of road conditions and the sheer size and momentum of their plows. Syme explains he has, "seen cars get drug down the road, cars slide into the wall and bounce back into the plow."

This happens when drivers try to pass plows, it happened Tuesday. The driver of a white hummer was in such a hurry, he decided to pass a plow from the right side. The plow driver tried to get out of his way, but clipped the bumper as the hummer driver went up onto the sidewalk.

Bottom line, snow packed roads are nothing like the Daytona 500 and, "you don't need to pass us - stay behind, chill out for a few minutes and we'll be out of your way."

By Heidi Hatch


(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) It's not every day you see a car rolling down the freeway with no driver. In fact, there wasn't a single person in the car, says Thomas Goodman, who shot video of an empty early-90's Buick LeSabre, cruising along southbound I-15.
 
Goodman says he was near Woods Cross, north of Salt Lake City, when he noticed a man sitting alone on a snowbank on the side of the interstate. "He was slamming his fist in the snow and making some negative remarks," says Goodman.
 
A short distance down the highway, Goodman noticed drivers steering to the right side of the road, while one car slowly rolled along on the left, without a soul inside. It became evident to Goodman, that this was the man's car, escaping him down I-15. "Prior to that, I didn't know how he got dropped off, I didn't know if his folks kicked him out or his girlfriend," says Goodman.
 
Neither Goodman, nor Utah Highway Patrol could confirm what happened to the man and the unattended Buick Tuesday night. Goodman says it's a reminder to him of the craziness that winter weather brings to our roadways.
 
"All I could think is that he crashed the car and jumped out after he got hit the mouth with the airbag, I'm assuming."

By Chris Miller

To see the RAW footage click here: http://kutv.com/news/features/raw-news/stories/vid_14.shtml?wap=0 

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) The man tapped by the governor to temporarily replace embattled former Attorney General John Swallow, has some asking if he wants the job long term.  

Tuesday during several media interviews, the interim attorney general was asked if he was interested in the job.

Reporter Chris Jones: "Do you want the (attorney general's) job permanently?"
Brian Tarbet: "Not at this point."
Jones:  "Now for clarification you said, 'not at this time,' when we asked you if you wanted the job permanently.  What does that mean?"
Tarbet: "It doesn't mean anything, don't read anything into it."
Jones:  "does that mean you might be interested in the office later on?"
Tarbet:  "No, I'm not interested in political office; I'm interested in THIS office."

This exchange lead to some confusion, and caused other media outlets to suggest that Tarbet was considering a run for the office, but during the interview with Jones, Tarbet suggested a distaste for the politics of politics, " I'm not a politician, I'm not interested in running for election and raising money," says Tarbet.  

Later, Jones reached Tarbet at home who explained that if he was asked to head the office for a year without the issues related to political office he would do it.  

By Chris Jones

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) The search resumes for a missing plane and its five passengers after the aircraft went down in the mountains of central Idaho.

The plane disappeared on Sunday.   One of the passengers is Jonathan Norton is a student from BYU-Idaho who grew up in Salt Lake.  His fiancee, whom he is supposed to marry in a few weeks was on the plane with him.

The mountainous terrain in central Idaho where the small plane disappeared on Sunday is vast. The pilot, Dale Smith of San Jose California was flying his family from Oregon to Montana when the plane went down.

Among his four passengers were Jonathan Norton and his fiancee Amber, the pilot's daughter.  We talked to Jonathan's uncle Matt Dayton who is in Idaho near the rescue operation.

Matt Dayton says on Sunday, Dale Smith, an experienced pilot, radioed air traffic controllers in Salt Lake saying his Beach Bonanza was having engine trouble.  He asked for coordinates to a small air strip in these mountains, but the plane never made it there.

Jonathan's uncle says he just received his nephew's wedding invitation in the mail.

Wednesday morning about 40 searchers will head back into the mountains to look for the plane.  They'll be assisted by helicopters.  They have narrowed the search area thanks to a beacon signal that they believe is coming from the airplane.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) The first major snow storm of the season to hit the roadways brings with it dozens of accidents along the Wasatch Front. 

In the city of South Jordan alone, 27 accidents were reported by one o'clock in the afternoon. 
  
"It's been crazy," said South Salt Lake Battalion Chief Kent Robertson as he pulled up on an accident at 3300 south and I-15 around noon.  "This is the 14th accident for us today." 

At this accident a semi-truck slid on the icy roads causing several other cars to smash into it. 

"Nobody hurt.  We are lucky on this one. It could have been a lot worse," said Robertson. 

Robertson was not alone as emergency crews could be seen all along the valley responding to one accident after the other. 

"A lot of slide offs, a lot of rear end accidents," said UHP Trooper Michael Funk as he worked another accident. 

One of the accidents even included a UHP trooper. The trooper had pulled over to help a crash victim when suddenly that victim's wife who was coming to the scene crashed into the trooper's car. Fortunately the trooper was outside his car and not hurt, but one of the crash victims was injured. 

"Right now the most serious injury we have is a broken nose on the driver of the red vehicle," said Sgt. Manful with UHP. 
 
At the Utah Department of Transportation's operation center every TV screen can be seen with some kind of accident on it. Emergency crews say it all started first thing this morning with the commute. It continued throughout the afternoon and is expected to continue into the evening. 

"This is going to be an extended storm where we are going to be out and about around the clock until all the roads are clear," said John Gleason UDOT's spokesman. 

The snow didn't only cause havoc on the freeways.  In the city of Sandy heavy snow could be seen falling with very slick roads as drivers slide back and forth while trying to navigate the hills in the neighborhoods. 

Power crews worked to restore one power pole that had been knocked down by a sliding vehicle. 

Slick roads have been the biggest problem for drivers all over the valley.

That's why police and fire are all saying the same thing. 

"Slow down. Increase your following distance," said Sgt. Manful. 

"Drive slow. Ease on the brakes," said Sgt. Wooldridge with Salt Lake City Police. 

"People need to slow down and they need to take their time," said Chief Robertson. 

"It's OK to be a little bit late," said Trooper Funk. 

By Dan Rascon

Final reported numbers of accidents across the valley.
Salt Lake County 167 total, 20 injuries
Davis County 62 total, no injuries
Utah County 68 property damage, 7 injuries

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) The Unified Police Department received a call of a robbery at the U.S. Bank on 4135 S. Redwood Road Tuesday.

Reports say the suspect entered the bank and stated "this is a robbery", and then demanded money.  The suspect proceeded to jump over the counter, demanded the teller open the cash drawer and then took the money out. 

No weapon was displayed during the robbery, the teller complied with the suspects demands and no one was injured.  The suspect received an undisclosed amount of money and fled the bank on foot.  It is unknown if he got into a vehicle.  

UPD officers searched the area thoroughly, but were unable to locate the suspect.  

They are asking the public if they know who the suspect is, or saw him as he was fleeing the area.  

The suspect is considered dangerous.  If anyone has any information as to the identity of this suspect, or has information about the robbery, they are asked to contact the Unified Police Department at 385-468-9814.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) Governor Gary Herbert will present his state budget proposal Wednesday.

It's been one of the top business matters at the capitol for the past month.

He's keeping it as secret as possible, but some general outlines are clear.

On Wednesday Governor Gary Herbert will travel to Utah Valley University to unveil his budget.

Last year, the governor and the legislator underestimated state revenues by $240 million dollars. If this year is as good as last year, state spending could go up by that amount.

Utah's public schools remain the worst funded of any state.  Educators are asking for money to catch up. The governor says education will get whatever he can find for them.

The governor won't talk specific numbers. "Just like you shouldn't unwrap your Christmas presents before Christmas, I'm not going to reveal my budget until I reveal it in detail." Herbert said. 

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) A fire on Monday evening that tore through a Brigham City apartment complex inhabited mostly by families evacuated eighteen units, according to Jim Buchanan, director of the city's emergency services department.

"Upon the first arriving engine, we had smoke coming through the windows and through the eaves," Buchanan said. "Once it got up into the ceiling, into the roof space itself, with a little bit of a breeze, it just raised through."

Sammi Apodaca's four-year-old son noticed the commotion around 7:30 p.m., and ran to tell her there were flashing lights outside the complex at 580 N. Main St.

"I looked to my right and apartment number 3A was just in flames," Apodaca said. "They tried to put it out, and then all of a sudden it just started right back up, and I just basically hit my knees and just collapsed because that's our home."

Investigators determined on Tuesday that tenants in one apartment had left for work with their heat on and their sofa bed up against the radiator, causing a slip cover or blanket to catch fire.

Eight apartments were damaged or destroyed, and, while fighting the flames, crews rerouted electricity and gas in 11 other units, one of them vacant. Willard, Honeyville and Corinne crews assisted Brigham City fire fighters. All residents escaped safely, and no fire fighters were injured. 

A local church opened its doors for residents to keep warm, while the American Red Cross rushed from its Ogden office to provide food and clothing. Twenty-one residents stayed in the local fire station, where the Red Cross began operating a shelter.

"We have donations given to us by the generosity of the American public; that's the way that we respond," said Scott Vest, public information officer for the Red Cross. "So we'll use those as necessary."

The Red Cross will work with its non-profit partners to find long-term shelter for the residents, if needed.

Apodaca said she lost all of the Christmas gifts she bought for her son, nieces and nephews.

"I sat there and watched all of our Christmas go up in flames," Apodaca said. "I know that there's basically nothing left. We have to start from the bottom."

Investigators were still on scene late Tuesday morning, working on the cause of the blaze.

Donations of food, toiletries, youth and adult clothing and other necessities for displaced residents are being accepted at the Brigham City Senior Center.

By: Christine McCarthy

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) A group of Salt Lake elementary school students joined Gov. Gary Herbert and first lady Jeanette Herbert as they unveiled holiday decorations at the Utah governor's mansion on Tuesday.

Herbert's office says in a release Monday that third-grade and fourth-grade students from Stewart Elementary School, a Chinese immersion school in Centerville, participated in the event.

The students also performed a Christmas carol in Chinese.

They also helped the governor and first lady decorate a Christmas tree.

The event was not open to the public, but visitors can see the decorations from Dec. 3 to Dec. 19 when the mansion is open for tours from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — A Texas inmate has been executed for the death of a corrections officer during a short-lived escape from prison six years ago.

Jerry Martin had requested that no additional appeals be filed on his behalf, clearing the way for his lethal injection Tuesday evening.

Martin was serving 50 years for attempted capital murder when he and another inmate bolted from a work detail outside a Huntsville-area prison in September 2007.

In the ensuing chaos and gunfire, a 59-year-old prison officer on horseback, Susan Canfield, suffered fatal head injuries. Both Martin and his partner, John Falk, were captured within hours after fleeing in a stolen pickup.

Martin's execution was the 16th and last scheduled for this year in Texas, which carries out capital punishment more than any other state.

MICHAEL GRACZYK, Associated Press

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal prosecutor has vowed to prove that a former BP drilling engineer destroyed evidence when he deleted hundreds of text messages from a mobile phone after the company's 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

But a defense attorney told jurors Tuesday that Kurt Mix deleted the texts "for the most innocent of reasons" and didn't hide anything from a grand jury probing the nation's worst offshore oil spill.

Mix is charged with two counts of obstruction of justice for deleting messages to and from a supervisor and a BP contractor.

At the start of Mix's trial, a prosecutor said BP repeatedly warned the Texas resident about the consequences of deleting messages. Mix's lawyer, however, said he preserved documents containing the same information he allegedly tried to conceal.

MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, Associated Press

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
(KUTV) Tuesday’s blast of wintery weather has many Utahn’s adapting to the cold, slippery conditions. Ron went on the run to find out how residents of Salt Lake were dealing with the cold.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.) 
(KUTV) A winter storm left it's mark on the Tuesday morning commute.  Utah Highway Patrol says it handled about 80 crashes from Davis County down to Utah County during the morning commute. The agency also dealt with numerous slide offs.

One crash involved a Utah highway Patrol trooper. The trooper stopped to help a man whose Porsche had slid off the road and hit a wall. UHP says the man's wife was trying to pick up her husband when she came upon the scene and slid into the trooper.  The trooper wasn't hurt. The woman suffered minor injuries. The Utah Department of Transportation says it expects the worst of the storm's impact in Salt Lake County through 5pm Tuesday.  Utah County will be impacted late into the evening. Some areas between Payson and Cedar City could see as much as 12 inches of snow. 

By: Roxeanne Vainuku

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.) 
(KUTV) Safety is the top priority for state agencies as Utahns brace for a winter storm that is expected to bring arctic temperatures this week. 

With the heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures on the way, weather experts warn that power outages are possible.  During power outages, firefighters say one of the biggest mistakes that people make is using the wrong kind of heat or light source.  "Candles are a risk.  We see a lot of that and any unattended flame is a serious risk," said Captain Michael Harp with Salt Lake City Fire. 

Instead of candles, firefighters advise using battery-operated candles or flashlights.  They also warn that any type of generator or combustible engine should not be brought inside a home or garage for heating purposes. 

In addition, safety experts tell homeowners to check the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and to make sure their chimneys and furnace filters are clean.  "If you're using alternate heat sources that use fuel, make sure you're being careful with the carbon monoxide, and to have proper ventilation," said Wade Mathews with the Be Ready Utah Emergency organization. 

With temperatures dipping into the teens, there is the possibility of water pipes freezing in homes and businesses.  To avoid water damage, experts say the best solution is to keep the faucet slightly turned on so that water will drip and flow through the pipe.

Officials with state agencies also stress the importance of checking on elderly family members and keeping your pets inside during winter storms.  Putting cats and dogs outside, especially overnight, can lead to overexposure and even death.  "Have plans for your pets.  Have plans for your neighbors who are elderly or have special needs.  Go check on them," said Mathews.  

By Jonelle Merrill

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(CNN) -- Emergency responders searched a mountainous section of Idaho Monday for a single-engine plane carrying five family members that went missing Sunday afternoon. 

The pilot reported engine failure at 9,000 feet at about 3 p.m. MT (5 p.m. ET) and asked the Salt Lake tower for coordinates to a remote airstrip near Cascade, a small town in central Idaho, said Lt. Dan Smith of the Valley County Sheriff's Office in Cascade. 

The plane dropped off the radar and all contact was lost, Smith said.

The unidentified family was heading from Baker, Oregon, to Butte, Montana, in a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft.

Smith said authorities used the pilot's cell phone signal to narrow the search to a two- to- four-square-mile area in the mountains. 

The Idaho Army National Guard is searching with two helicopters. Deputies and rescue workers also joined the search in mixed rain, snow and fairly high winds, Smith said.

By Suzanne Presto 

The-CNN-Wire

™ & © 2013 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.
(KUTV) A south Salt Lake City family says they regret showing mercy after they wrote a letter that they had been told may have kept an 18-year-old burglar from being deported.  

In 2012, Deryk Robledo was arrested in connection with the burglary of a south Salt Lake City home.  The parents of Robledo told the victims that their then, 18-year-old son was in the US.  

Robledo's parents asked that the victims write a letter to the court asking for leniency.  David, who asked us not to identify him, says he did just that.  

Then fast forward to this weekend, when police arrested that same teenager for allegedly hitting and killing 75-year-old Gerano Zargoza-Valencia.  Police say after Rebledo hit the man he sped away then tucked his damaged 2001 BMW in the garage of his in-laws where he was living at the time.  

Over the weekend Robledo was arrested.  We spoke with the family that wrote that letter, they say they regret writing it, and wish Robledo would have been deported.  

At the time of the hit and run accident, Robledo was on probation for the burglary.  Monday night he remains in the Salt Lake County jail.

By Chris Jones

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
LAYTON, Utah (AP) — Utah's Hill Air Force Base has been selected as an operational base for a fleet of new fighter jets.

The Air Force chose northern Utah over several other locations.

The announcement came Tuesday from officials at the base about 20 miles of Salt Lake City.

The Air Force previously announced in September that Hill would maintain the new F-35.

The latest announcement means 72 of the fighter jets and their pilots will be permanently based in Utah.

The fleet will show up starting in 2015 when the F-35 goes into service. One of the jets has been at Hill since September for software and other upgrades.

The F-35s will replace the F-16 with greater speed and combat range and lower maintenance costs due to a computerized self-test system, according to the Air Force.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

(KUTV) It's a busy time for holiday shopping and Salt Lake County leaders are hoping that as you shop throughout the season, you'll remember those less fortunate.

The county kicked off a program to help homeless kids Monday.

A tree with angel cards will be set-up in all Shopko, Cyprus Credit Unions, and The Leonardo.

A person can pick any angel(s) they wish from the tree to adopt.  There are angels for the elderly and for children in the local area.  The angel's name, age, sex, sizes and gift ideas are listed on the Angel Tree ornaments.  

The trees are located in the lobby of the Salt Lake County government offices at 20th south and State Street.

The gifts must be returned to the location from which the angel was adopted by December 19th.       

The gifts need to be new and unwrapped.  

All gifts are picked up and distributed by the Salvation Army to the families in need. 

Last year there were over 11,000 angels adapted from Logan to Spanish Fork.

Additional information on the program can be found here:http://www.kutv.com/custom/angel-tree-2013/

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)

(KUTV) One Utah Legislator says he wants to get parents more involved in schools.

According to the Daily Herald, State Senator Aaron Osmond wants to make a “parental bill of rights” that would legally give parents some say in their child’s education. The proposal comes with more responsibility for parents, as well.

All parents that put their kids in school would have to agree to accept all district policies and go to all parent teacher conferences, among other things.

Educational groups around the state say they need more time to look at Osmond’s proposal before commenting on it.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.)

(KUTV) The man accused of killing a Draper Police Officer – and his girlfriend are both scheduled to be in court Tuesday. Timothy Troy Walker will go through scheduling in the aggravated murder case. 

Walker’s girlfriend, Traci Lee Vaillancourt, will go through scheduling on obstruction of justice charges in the same incident. 

Walker is accused of shooting and killing Draper Police Sergeant Derek Johnson in September. He’s also accused of shooting Vaillancourt on the same day. 

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.) 

(KUTV) An upcoming U.F.C. fight in California will feature one of Utah's own: Court McGee who fights out of a gym in Orem.

Dave Debes can't wait because he says he knows McGee personally.

"One of my best friends is on that card so I was stoked to go down there and actually see him fight,"  Dave said.

The very minute tickets for the fight went on sale, Dave says he rushed to Ticketmaster.com and he got great seats.

"What we had is center cage tickets and they were roughly eight rows back," Dave said.

But now months later, Dave got an email from Ticketmaster. It reads, "We had to cancel the tickets you bought for the following event because they were sold to you in error."

Ticketmaster offered Dave what the email calls, "comparable seats," but Dave says the new seats are lousy by comparison.

Dave did find seats still available that he says are more comparable, but they are $100 more than what he originally paid. Much of that added cost was in fees levied by Ticketmaster, so considering the error, Dave asked Ticketmaster if they would be willing to waive those fees, or consider selling him the seats he wants at the price he had previously paid. Dave says Ticketmaster refused.

Frustrated, Dave decided to Get Gephardt.

Get Gephardt contacted Ticketmaster on Dave's behalf and an escalation manager told us that the issue was not Ticketmaster's fault, rather their client's. Ticketmaster did not specify which client, be it the venue or the promoter or U.F.C. In a statement, Ticketmaster simply wrote, "we had to reseat fan at the request of our client."

But, though Ticketmaster says it was not their fault, they have opted to make the situation right for Dave offering to sell Dave the better seats at the lower price by refunding him the difference.

Ticketmaster called the move a "good will gesture." 

We tried to reach U.F.C. to ask why Dave's tickets were revoked. They organization did not respond.

Ticketmaster does have a policy that if a ticket was sold in error, no matter what the error, they have the right to cancel the tickets and offer a refund.

By Matt Gephardt
Produced by Cindy St. Clair
Edited by Amber Monio
Photography by Brian Morris

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) The Unified Police Department broke ground on a new police station Tuesday. 

The new station is located in Riverton near City Hall. The Salt Lake County Sheriff says the money used to build the new station won’t be coming from new tax dollars – but instead, the UPD is taking the money they’d use for renting another building. 

The police station was made possible through a bond. UPD officials say they plan to put station sin all the communities they serve in the future. 

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group.)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Democratic state representative is pushing a measure that would grant limited criminal immunity to people who call police to report an overdose.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Rep. Carol Spackman Moss of Holladay says several young people have died in recent years from drug and alcohol overdoses because the people they were with were afraid to call police and get in trouble.

This proposal has been endorsed by a state criminal justice committee. It will be reviewed by the full Utah legislature when the session opens in January. It has the backing of the state's association of prosecutors and from the conservative Utah Eagle Forum.

More than a dozen other states have these "good Samaritan" laws.

The 502 reported overdose deaths in Utah in 2012 were a seven-year high.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Officials say federal agents in Salt Lake City joined an international effort to crack down Monday on hundreds of websites illegally selling fake goods.

U.S. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement says in a release Monday afternoon that its agents helped seize hundreds of domain names for the websites.

The operation was timed to coincide with one of the busiest online shopping days of the year, so-called Cyber Monday.

ICE spokesman Andrew Muoz says agents with the Homeland Security Investigations unit in Utah posed online as consumers to purchase items from websites they suspected were selling counterfeit goods.

Muoz says 10 foreign law enforcement agencies participated in the effort, as did agents in Texas and Colorado.

Officials say the counterfeit products include sports gear, luxury goods, and electronics, among other items.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
YONKERS, N.Y. (AP) — The National Transportation Safety Board says a train that derailed in New York City was traveling 82 mph as it approached a 30 mph zone.

The Metro-North Railroad commuter train jumped the tracks Sunday morning along a sharp curve where the speed limit drops from 70 mph to 30 mph. Four passengers died.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators on Monday mined the train's data recorders, shedding light on such things as the train's speed and the use of its brakes. NTSB member Earl Weener says he's unaware of any problem with the train's brakes.

The investigators have also sought to question the engineer and conductor for clues. The rail employees union says engineer William Rockefeller was injured in the wreck and is cooperating with investigators.

FRANK ELTMAN, Associated Press
JIM FITZGERALD, Associated Press

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
(KUTV) Holiday shoppers took advantage of big deals on this "Cyber Monday".

Here in Utah, one internet shopping company has been preparing for the day all year long and they expect record sales.

Overstock has a retail store selling heavily discounted merchandise.  It's right next door to their warehouse open Thursday through Saturday.  If you mention this news story they say they'll give you an extra 20 percent off.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) In every neighborhood there is a Christmas house, the one with way more lights than the rest.

We found one that will amaze, but you wouldn't know it driving by. As the old saying goes, you can't judge a book by its cover and the family who lives inside calls it "Santa's Secret".

When Jeff Wallis opens the door he welcomes you in with a huge smile saying, "this is where we live and what we live for."  A Christmas music box plays traditional Christmas songs as you enter. There is so much to look at, it's difficult to focus. Jeff and Julie Wallis have been married 34 years and collecting Christmas decorations for many years as well.

Just ask and they can tell you they have dozens of handmade wreaths, seven decorated Christmas trees, 328 statuettes, 35 Santa's reindeer everywhere and gingerbread as far as the eye can see.  They do it because it makes them happy. As Jeff says, "If you can wake up in a good mood it's a good day."

The Wallis family started decorating in July and it likely won't come down until Easter. This year they're turning their efforts into a fundraiser for their nephew Austin who was just 15 when he died from MS. 

Everyone is welcome to take a tour; they will tell you "were not asking anything. It's free, but if you like to make a contribution 100 percent goes to muscular dystrophy."

Their nephew Austin was a huge Christmas kid. A jar in their entry reads: he's always remembered, never forgotten.

Giving tours for this couple never gets old; the two love to see kid's faces. While it takes a lot of time and energy they say they wouldn't trade it for the world. 

If you would like to see the inside you can drop by on Monday, Tuesday, Friday or Saturday between 5-10pm. Their home is in Riverton at 2996 west 11925 south. Look for the simple blue lights on the roof line.

By Heidi Hatch

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) Students and faculty in Cache County on Monday honored an award-winning high school biology teacher who was killed in a train accident last weekend.

"It's been a somber, kind of quiet day... Lots of tears shed today," said Principal Robert Henke of Mountain Crest High School. "He was a wonderful teacher. He was an icon at the school."

On Saturday, 56-year-old Stanley Lawrence "Larry" Litizzette, of Logan, was hunting with his son in Spanish Fork Canyon, when he was struck by a train on a railroad bridge and pushed into the Price River. His son pulled him from the water, but he had already died.

"I had a friend text me and tell me about it, and I was just like, 'No way. Is this real?'" said Mountain Crest High junior Taylor Kleven. "He was happy. He was stellar. He always told stories of his life and things that were relevant to the subject that we were learning."

A basket of flowers was left in his parking spot on Monday, and students signed a memorial banner to give to his wife.

Litizzette's classroom was left untouched. His desk remained covered in teaching materials, his genetics lesson still on the board.

"It looks exactly the way it did when he left for Thanksgiving break last Tuesday. We haven't done anything to it, including erase the whiteboard,"Henke said. 

Litizzette taught biology at Mountain Crest for 29 years, receiving many teaching honors, including the prestigious Huntsman Award for Excellence in Education.

"I know that he was a great man and a hero to a lot of people," said student Briana Christensen. "He changed a lot of people's lives by making them pursue their career in biology."

Students coordinated through a mass text message to wear their best clothing on Monday to honor their teacher.

Counselors were available for grieving students and teachers throughout the day Monday.

"These kids in the A.P. class have one trimester with him, and for them to feel so impacted, that's the kind of teacher he was," said counselor Kris Hart. "They're really, really struggling with the loss."

The department head filled in for Litizzette's classes on Monday. Henke is working on a schedule for substitute teachers for the rest of the week and coming months. Some of the teachers he has asked about filling in on a more permanent basis said it would be too much of a challenge to live up to Mr. Litizzette's legacy.

While Utah County investigators and the medical examiner are gathering more details about Litizzette's death, the school where he spent nearly three decades of his life is left with a hole that will never be filled.

"It's a loss if we lost anybody," Henke said, but there are certain teachers that probably would create a bigger void, and he's certainly one of those."

By Christine McCarthy

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) An apartment fire in Brigham City has displaced a number of people Monday night.

Crews responded to 580 north Main Street in Brigham City around 8:30 pm Monday night. Firefighters were able knock down the flames quickly and minimized damage.

Officials say as many as eight units were affected; the Red Cross is at the location to help those who have been displaced.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)
(KUTV) The Utah Department of Transportation is geared up and ready to attack the first major snow fall of the season, that's expected to dump plenty of snow on the 

 

 

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