Utah task force awaiting activation

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 11:49am

By Alexandria Autrey

SALT LAKE CITY – In a maximum time of four hours a fleet of doctors, firefighters, engineers, canines, searchers and heavy rescuers from a Utah task force can be deployed to anywhere in the country and beyond.

The Utah task force includes firefighters from Unified, Salt Lake and Park City Fire Departments.

There are currently 28 task forces around the country available to go to work immediately when a disaster strikes.

A task force Captain from Utah was in Oklahoma when the tornadoes hit, and he got the ball rolling quickly on the local team.

“They’ll send out a recon unit that will go out with canines to evaluate structures and the guys will go out with their cameras and locate where people are and as soon as they confirm they found a person the heavy rescue come in and take the building apart around the person,” said Captain Ryan Mellor of Utah Task Force 1.

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Study: Salt Lake City ranks highest in same-sex couples raising children

Submitted by Fox13Now Web Staff

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, 10:37am

SALT LAKE CITY — Researchers at a UCLA think tank say the Salt Lake City metropolitan area ranks highest in the nation for same-sex couples raising children.

Twenty-six percent of same-sex couples in Salt Lake City are raising children, according to a press release issued Monday by The Williams Institute at UCLA.

“The metro areas with the highest percentages of same-sex couples raising children are in states that have a constitutional ban on marriage,” the press release said.

The Williams Institute published separate findings for metropolitan areas with populations above 1 million (including SLC), metropolitan areas with populations below 1 million and individual states.

The State of Utah ranked 13th in the nation for the percentage of same-sex couples raising children. Slightly over 20 percent of same-sex couples in Utah are raising children, according to data provided by The Williams Institute.

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Utah GOP delegates elect new party chairman at organizing convention

Submitted by Fox13Now Web Staff

Saturday, May 18th, 2013, 5:19pm

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Republican Party met to elect party officials and set party policy on Saturday, but it was also an opportunity for conservatives to express their frustrations.

Republican delegates elected James Evans as the new state party chairman. He will replace outgoing chairman Thomas Wright. Delegates also voted against making changes to the party’s candidate selection process.

A call for changes on the federal level was a theme at this year’s Utah Republican Party Organizing Convention, and Utah’s Congressional delegation slammed President Barack Obama’s administration over recent controversy like the IRS targeting Tea Party groups for extra scrutiny.

Senator Orrin Hatch said the issue with the IRS troubles him.

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Frances Monson, wife of LDS President Thomas S. Monson, dies at 85

Submitted by Fox13Now Web Staff

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 8:14am

SALT LAKE CITY — Frances B. Monson, wife of Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Friday morning in a Salt Lake City hospital.

Monson had been hospitalized for several weeks and died at 6:35 a.m. from causes related to her age, the LDS church said in a statement.

Francis was married to Thomas S. Monson for 64 years.

“She was committed to doing those things that would help the family, support the family, strengthen the family, and at the same time be a companion to her husband,” said Heidi Swinton, author of Thomas S. Monson’s biography.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Read the full news release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints:

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Proposed expansion would close diagonal turn lane in Sugar House

Submitted by Fox13Now Web Staff

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 4:56pm

SALT LAKE CITY – A $1.7 million proposal to expand Monument Plaza in Sugar House would mean closing a turning lane, and some people are upset.

The proposed expansion would permanently close the diagonal right turn lane on the southwest corner of 2100 S. and 1100 E.

The expansion would cover about 20,000 square-feet of space. Those opposed to the project said the right turning lane is a unique part of Sugar House they’d be sad to see go. Those in favor said it will make things easier on pedestrians.

Soren Simonsen, Salt Lake City Council district 7 representative, said the space will be a boon to the area.

“We create a much larger place for things like the farmers’ market or the arts festival or the other community events, either formal or informal , which happen here in Sugar House all the time,” he said.

The next public comment meeting will take place sometime in July, but no specific date has been set.

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Pediatrician accused in murder of ex-wife appears in court

Submitted by Fox13Now Web Staff

Monday, May 13th, 2013, 4:24pm

SALT LAKE CITY – The Salt Lake City pediatrician accused of killing his wife was back in court on Monday, and a woman facing burglary and fraud charges was there to show her support.

Dr. John Wall is charged with murder in the Sept. 2011 death of his ex-wife Uta von Schwedler. The University of Utah researcher was found dead in the bathtub of her Salt Lake City home. She appeared to have been in a struggle and had high quantities of Xanax in her system.

A hearing for Wall was scheduled Monday for next week to determine whether his $1.5 million bail can be reduced.

Chantel Biggs was at Monday’s hearing, showing her support.

Biggs was at Wall’s house the morning of his arrest in late April and witnesses say she’s been staying there on and off since then. Her relationship with Wall is unknown.

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Belly dancers raise money for abuse victims

Submitted by Fox13Now Web Staff

Saturday, May 11th, 2013, 7:13pm

SALT LAKE CITY — Belly dancers across North America formed “Shimmy Mobs” Saturday to promote belly dance on World Belly Dance Day as well as raise money for charitable causes.

More than 20 belly dancers were at Utah’s Hogle Zoo Saturday, where they performed in order to raise awareness and funds for victims of domestic violence. The dancers accepted donations for the YWCA in Utah.

Shimmy Mob broke a record in 2012, and they hope to do so again in 2013 by being the largest event of its kind, according to a press release.

Jenniel Allen said she participated in the event to support an important cause.

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