January 6, 2008

USU Major Financial Crisis

As many as 660 jobs could be cut after the next legislative session because of what Utah State University officials say could be the first state of "major financial crisis" in the school's history. At a meeting of the Faculty Senate Monday USU President Stan Albrecht emphasized that the "major financial crisis: plan has not been put in place but he said it is just an option on the table. Albrecht says in the worst-case scenario, USU would lose 30-million dollars. A second proposal could also create a crisis but might involve only a 17-million dollar cut.

Arrest In Woman's Death

North Ogden police have arrested a man for questioning in connection with the weekend death of a 23-year-old woman. Weber County Jail officers say Johnny Maurice Bell was booked into jail Monday. He is being held without bail on suspicion of murder. It is un clear what relationship Bell had with the woman whose body was found at her home Sunday. Her name has not been released.

Boys and Girls Club Update

Money is harder to come by with the current  financial crisis but  the Boys and Girls Club of Cache Valley continues to provide quality after-school programs at 14 different sites.  Director Bob Green says most of the sites are in the  county but also at the Edith Bowen and the two Thomas Edison Charter  schools.  Greene says  after school programs are   getting more important  every day because most parents have to work now in order to make ends meet.  He says the first hour of the program is always reserved for homework.

Douglas On Farm Grants

The Salt Lake City Rural Development office says Utah farmers and ranchers are missing out on millions of dollars in federal grants that could help them become more energy efficient. The office says about 90 percent of Utah farms seeking grants are rejected  for paperwork problems including incomplete applications or faulty technical details of projects. State Farmers Union President Arthur Douglas says farmers should go after these grants but they may need some help in applying and perhaps it could come from such places as USU Extension. He says Rural Development could probably do a better job of providing information to help with the grant writing. The loans can cover 75 percent of the costs for projects like wind towers, or installing solar panels.

Under-age Drinkers Bill

A Republican lawmaker, backed by private clubs and taverns, plans to introduce a bill that would automatically suspend the driver licenses of underage drinkers who sneak into bars. State Rep. Curtis Oda of Clearfield says the blame should be placed where it belongs..on the offenders. Oda wants to make the first offense a mandatory one-year suspension.  He says the rationale of the bill is that youths who are drinking should not be driving. The bill would not eliminate fines for drinking establishments caught serving alcohol to underage drinkers.

Franklin County Air Quality Problems

Franklin County is one of the first of two Idaho communities failing to meet the new air quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency that measures fine particles that can cause respiratory problems in children and the elderly. EPA officials attribute the problem in Franklin County and Cache Valley to emissions from vehicles, farming operations and wood stoves. The state has three years to work with the communities to develop a plan to reduce emissions. Melissa Gibbs, Air Quality Analyst for the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, says the Franklin County air shed stretches across the Utah border making it difficult for an Idaho State agency to regulate air from their side alone.

Arrest After Chase

A driver and his passenger from Pocatello, Idaho have been arrested on numerous charges following a high speed chase that started when 28 year-old Tyler Waters fled from law enforcement officer following a traffic stop in Richmond early Monday morning. A Cache County sheriffs deputy stopped the vehicle for going 65 miles per hour in a 40-mile per hour zone. Sheriffs Lt Chad Jensen says when asked if he had been drinking or taking drugs and when asked to step out of the car Waters sped away. After a ten-mile chase at speed approaching 90 miles an hour deputies were able to stop the car at 2700 North Main in North Logan by using road spikes. Waters was booked on several violations including felony evasion and driving under the influence of drugs. The passenger, 28 year-old Nicholas Hensley was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

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January 5, 2008
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Underage Drinking Bill

A Republican  lawmaker, backed by private clubs and taverns, plans to introduce a bill that would automatically suspend the driver licenses of underage drinkers who sneak into bars. State Rep. Curtis Oda of Clearfield lays the blame should be placed where it belongs...on the offender. He says while clubs are getting nailed to the wall little is being done to the kids who are breaking the law. In 2007 lawmakers passed a bill that allows judges to suspend the driver license of individuals under 21 for any alcohol-related offense. The provision is optional although licenses are automatically suspended for six months on the second offense and one year on subsequent violations. Oda wants to make the first offense a mandatory one-year suspension. He says the rationale of the bill is that youths who are drinking should not be driving. The bill would not eliminate fines for drinking establishments caught serving alcohol to underage drinkers.