ST. GEORGE — Emergency crews rescued a 70-year-old woman who fell approximately 50 feet into a deep crack at the Grand Canyon Tuesday afternoon. The woman reportedly became wedged in the rock, preventing her from falling to the bottom.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, search and rescue crews were dispatched to the Grand Canyon West near the Skywalk to perform a rope rescue, according to a statement issued Wednesday by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.
A 70-year-old Illinois woman fell approximately 50 feet into a deep crack at the Grand Canyon, Arizona, April 18, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The Illinois woman had fallen into a deep crack located about 10 yards from the canyon, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“The victim had fallen approximately 50 feet and had wedged herself during the fall which prevented her from dropping to the bottom,” officials said. “Every time the victim would take a deep breath she would fall a few inches.”
After setting up a rope system, a search and rescue member was lowered to the woman.
The woman was immediately secured with the rope and lifted a few inches to assist her with her breathing, the Sheriff’s Office said. The woman, who sustained several cuts, scratches and bruises during the fall, was then hoisted to safety.
The woman was subsequently airlifted by Mercy Medical Helicopter to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, for treatment.
Members of the Grand Canyon West Fire Department and 10 Mohave County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue members responded to the incident.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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Personnel from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, Department of Public Safety Ranger Helicopter and Grand Canyon West Fire Department prepare to rescue 70-year-old Illinois woman who fell 50 feet into a deep crack at the Grand Canyon, Arizona, April 18, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Personnel from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, Department of Public Safety Ranger Helicopter and Grand Canyon West Fire Department prepare to rescue 70-year-old Illinois woman who fell 50 feet into a deep crack at the Grand Canyon, Arizona, April 18, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
A 70-year-old Illinois woman fell approximately 50 feet into a deep crack at the Grand Canyon, Arizona, April 18, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Personnel from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team, Department of Public Safety Ranger Helicopter and Grand Canyon West Fire Department prepare to rescue 70-year-old Illinois woman who fell 50 feet into a deep crack at the Grand Canyon, Arizona, April 18, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
ST. GEORGE — The Washington County Drug Task Force is continuing to crack down on drug-related crimes in the county with the recent arrest of a 28-year-old man Tuesday on four second-degree felony counts of drug distribution, among other drug-related charges.
Tyler Boyd Prince, of Hurricane, Utah, booking photo posted April 18, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The task force conducted a narcotics distribution investigation into Tyler Boyd Prince, of Hurricane, according to a probable cause statement filed by the task force in support of the arrest.
During the course of the investigation over the last 30 days, the report states, the task force conducted controlled buys of heroin on four separate occasions in Washington County through the use of a confidential informant who purchased heroin from Prince.
At approximately 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, detectives spotted Prince driving on Interstate 15 near Exit 10 in St. George, according to the statement, and conducted a traffic stop with the intention of arresting Prince for the four controlled drug buys.
Detectives informed Prince that he was under arrest for drug distribution and asked him if he had any contraband on him, the report stated. Prince reportedly told police he had a balloon of heroin and a “tooter straw” down his pants.
“During my interview, Tyler (Prince) stated he did not distribute heroin for money,” the detective wrote in the statement. “Tyler later stated he only sold enough to support his own habit.”
Prince was transported and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Prince of four second-degree felony counts of drug distribution, a class A misdemeanor count of drug possession, along with a class B misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Prince is expected to appear Thursday before Judge John Walton in 5th District Court.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — Golfers will tee off May 5 at the SunRiver Golf Course in St. George in support of children who have been abused and neglected.
The annual golf tournament, now in its 10th year, raises money for the Washington County Children’s Justice Center which has been serving abused children in the county since 1997.
Members of the community are invited to register their four-man scramble team to join in the event for golf, fun, prizes and games, including “mulligans,” “Beat the Lady Pro” and “have a pro hit your drive.”
Plus, hit a-hole-in-one and win $5,000 cash, according to the event’s organizers.
The cost of the event is $105 per person and includes green fees, carts, range balls, prizes, continental breakfast and lunch at Hank’s Riverwalk Grill. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
All proceeds from the golf tournament will go to the local nonprofit organization which relies on the generosity of local businesses and individuals to be able to assist abused children.
The Children’s Justice Center is one of 20 homelike facilities in Utah that serve children and families who are experiencing the crisis and chaos that comes with significant physical or sexual abuse and other crimes involving children such as domestic violence, according to the center’s website.
The justice center is designed to help children feel safe and comfortable so they may begin to deal with the difficult issues that surround abuse. Traditionally, investigations of child abuse require many interviews of the child victim by the police, social services, medical personnel, mental health professionals and attorneys.
Each of these interviews are now recorded so that these children rarely need to tell their story multiple times. The recordings may then be used to prosecute the perpetrator.
More than 300 children were interviewed at the center last year, according to a statement issued by Nina Heck, who sits on the board of the Children’s Justice Center.
Nearly 95 percent of all child abuse cases are sexual abuse, according to the statement. In 85 percent of all child abuse cases, the child knows the offender. The average age for reported sexual abuse is 9 years of age.
“There is a confirmed case of child abuse in Utah every day,” according to the center.
Those wishing to support the cause and enjoy a fun day of golf may register their four-man scramble team by calling 435-634-1134.
Event details
What: Washington County Children’s Justice Center Golf Tournament.
When: Friday, May 5.
7 a.m. – Putting contest, breakfast and registration.
8 a.m. – Shotgun Scramble.
Where: SunRiver Golf Course, 4210 Bluegrass Way, St. George.
Cost: $105 per person. Sponsorship packages also available.
ST. GEORGE — Following a multi-year elk poaching investigation, a Nevada judge has sentenced a Southern Utah man to pay more than $20,000 in penalties for the illegal killing and waste of a bull elk near Pioche, Nevada.
In addition to the civil penalty, Judge Gary Fairman, of the 7th Judicial District Court, ordered Zackry Holdaway, 26, of Cedar City, to pay $576 in additional fines and fees, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
Zackry Grant Holdaway, booking photo, July 23, 2016 | Photo courtesy of the Iron County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
As part of his sentence, Holdaway loses all hunting and fishing license privileges for six years. Holdaway was also given a suspended sentence of 32 months in state prison and ordered to serve five years of probation.
“This kind of punishment is reserved for the most egregious poaching of big game animals,” Chief Game Warden Tyler Turnipseed said in a statement. “Our investigation took on added gravity when we learned that the suspect had previous wildlife violations in Utah. This case was a blatant theft and waste of Nevada’s resources, and we are grateful to everyone involved for ensuring justice was served.”
Holdaway had pleaded no contest to unlawful killing and possession of the bull elk in January.
The charge stemmed from an investigation which began after the Nevada Department of Wildlife Game Warden found an elk carcass beheaded and decomposing in August 2015 at Pearson Ranch in Lincoln County.
A nearby trail camera captured images of an individual near the kill site before the elk’s death. The individual was later identified by the public as Holdaway after the Department of Wildlife issued a press release about the crime.
“The release generated tremendous public interest around Nevada and Utah, leading to information indicating Holdaway’s involvement,” Wildlife officials said.
After the identification was made, game wardens had to wait eight months for Holdaway to return to the United States from a guiding job in New Zealand. Upon his return, Holdaway was interviewed and subsequently arrested in July 2016.
ST. GEORGE — A 38-year-old California man was arrested Wednesday after traveling to Utah for the reported purpose of engaging in sexual relations with a 13-year-old girl. The man also allegedly had plans to meet two 14-year-old girls in Colorado.
Jason Reed Akers, of Ontario, California, booking photo posted April 19, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
On Monday, Jason Reed Akers, 38, of Ontario, California, began communicating over the internet with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, according to a statement issued by the Utah County Sheriff’s Office. However, that person was actually an undercover investigator with the Utah Valley Special Victims Task Force.
“Akers described actions he desired to take with this person and arranged a meeting at a public location in Utah County on April 19,” Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon said in a statement. “After he arrived there Akers was arrested by detectives.”
During the course of the investigation, detectives found methamphetamine, marijuana, spice, drug paraphernalia and a handgun, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
“Detectives also discovered that Akers had made arrangements to meet two 14-year-old girls in different locations in Colorado,” Cannon added. “Law enforcement officials there are investigating this information and additional charges may be coming.”
Akers was booked into the Utah County Jail on a second-degree felony count of enticing, soliciting, seducing or luring a minor by internet or text; five third-degree felony counts of enticing, soliciting, seducing or luring a minor by internet or text, dealing in harmful materials to a minor, and possession of firearm by a restricted person; two class A misdemeanor counts of possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana in a drug-free zone; and class B misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Akers bail pending trial was set at $50,000 cash-only.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A Utah couple was arrested for child endangerment and other drug-related charges in Spanish Fork after allegedly telling police they regularly allow their 14-year-old son to smoke marijuana.
Edwin Lee Steward, of Spanish Fork, Utah, booking photo posted April 18, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Investigators with the Spanish Fork Police Department and the Utah County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the couple’s home Tuesday night following a months-long investigation into drug activity at the home.
After entering the home, authorities found marijuana in several different areas of the home, along with drug paraphernalia and four firearms, according to a statement issued by the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
Subsequent to the search, Edwin Lee Steward and Valerie Steward, both 37, were arrested and booked into Utah County Jail on third-degree felony count of child endangerment and three class B misdemeanor counts of contributing to delinquency of a minor, marijuana possession and drug paraphernalia possession.
“(The couple) told investigators they regularly allowed their son to smoke marijuana,” Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon said in a statement. “He was also regularly exposed to drugs and paraphernalia in the home.”
Valerie Steward, of Spanish Fork, Utah, booking photo posted April 18, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The couple told police they allow their son to smoke a joint or two at night if he goes to class and makes good grades, Cannon told Deseret News, adding that the parents said they used the drug to alleviate medical issues and believed it helped their son focus in school.
A third adult in the home, Wesley Morse Vivian, 35, was the owner of the firearms found during the search, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Vivian was booked into jail on four third-degree felony charges of possession of a firearm by a restricted person and two class B misdemeanor counts of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — Police are requesting the public’s help Monday in identifying an alleged theft suspect believed to be responsible for stealing packages from homes in Washington County.
Santa Clara-Ivins Police released this photo Monday showing a suspect wanted for questioning in an active investigation involving mail theft, Santa Clara, Utah, March 31, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety, St. George News
Santa Clara-Ivins Police are looking for information that may help identify the individual captured in surveillance footage shown at the top of this report.
Officials believe the suspect may be traveling in a dark-blue SUV and are asking anyone with information about the vehicle – shown in this report – to contact the police.
Police released video surveillance from March 31 showing the suspect pull up to a home in the Santa Clara area and walk up to the doorstep before snatching a delivered package and running off.
The suspect is described by police as a white man between 20 and 30 years old.
Anyone with information on the SUV or the identity of the man is asked to contact the Santa Clara-Ivins Police Department at 435-652-1122 or the Washington County Dispatch at 435-634-5730.
Santa Clara-Ivins Police released this photo Monday showing the vehicle of a suspect wanted for questioning in an active investigation involving mail theft, Santa Clara, Utah, March 31, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety, St. George News
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — An alleged thief didn’t get far after shattering the front door of a skateboard shop in St. George and helping himself to merchandise inside. Police caught up to the alleged burglar an hour after the break-in and arrested him on theft-related charges.
Malachi Crenshaw Ball-Pryor, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 24, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
At approximately 4:30 a.m. Monday, officers responded to an alarm at Lip Trix located at 105 N. 500 East, according to a probable cause statement filed by the St. George Police Department in support of the arrest.
“When I arrived, I saw the main entrance door glass was broken,” the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
The owner of the shop also arrived on scene subsequent to the alarm, according to the statement.
Upon viewing video surveillance footage of the incident, officers recognized the intruder from a previous incident and were able to positively identify him as 18-year-old Malachi Crenshaw Ball-Pryor, the report stated.
“(Ball-Pryor) was seen breaking the glass with a large rock,” the officer wrote in the statement, “entering the store and taking two skateboards, grip tape and a multi-tool used for skateboards.”
Approximately an hour after the burglary occurred, police located Ball-Pryor in front of the Taco Bell fast food restaurant on St. George Boulevard, according to the statement.
Police further located the stolen property inside Ball-Pryor’s motel room located directly across the street from Lip Trix, the report stated.
Ball-Pryor was arrested and transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Ball-Pryor of third-degree felony burglary; a class A misdemeanor count of criminal mischief; and two class B misdemeanor counts of theft and possession of a controlled substance.
As this report is published, Ball-Pryor remains in police custody, according to booking information. He is scheduled to appear before Judge John Walton in 5th District Court on May 1.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A Hurricane City man was arrested Tuesday after reportedly making terroristic threats involving the use of weapons of mass destruction.
On April 17, the Hurricane City Police Department received a message via social media from an individual who identified himself as “Assad Muhammad” and said he was “going to go to Washington D.C. and blow up the White House,” according to a probable cause statement filed by the Hurricane City Police Department in support of the arrest.
David Grant Torrey, of Hurricane, Utah, booking photo posted April 25, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The individual further said in the message that, during his trip, he would be traveling through Hurricane City and would be detonating “smaller bombs” in the city that “wouldn’t cause death but would cause injuries and property damage,” the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
During the course of the investigation, Hurricane Police detectives contacted the FBI who assisted the department in identifying where the messages originated, the report stated.
The FBI tracked the message to an address in Hurricane City. Authorities further identified the suspect as 25-year-old David Grant Torrey, of Hurricane, according to the statement.
Police were already familiar with Torrey due to his history of making terroristic threats. According to court documents, Torrey had been placed on supervised probation through Iron County 5th District Court for threatening to blow up a Cedar City hospital and jail on three other separate occasions.
He also threatened to “kill the governor, kill the president and then flee the country and join ISIS,” Cedar City Police Sgt. Jimmy Roden told St. George News in a June 2016 interview.
In addition to those threats, police were made aware on Jan. 2 that Torrey posted a threatening message on the White House Instagram page in which he threatened harm towards President Barack Obama, his family and White House staff members.
In that message, according to court documents, Torrey stated he would detonate a bomb strapped to his chest, adding: “It is big enough to kill everyone there right now YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. You have TWO minutes!!!”
As a result of the most recent threats, Torrey was placed on probationary hold at the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility Tuesday for violating his probation.
After Torrey was interviewed by police, the Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing him of two second-degree felony counts for threat of terrorism.
“We always take these types of incidents very serious and consider them real until otherwise determined,” the Hurricane City Police Department said in a statement Wednesday. “There was no real threat that was substantiated in this incident.”
The Police Department noted that it is a violation of the law to make these types of threats.
Several U.S. states have enacted statutes which impose criminal liability for making threats of terror, whether the threat is acted on, or not.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A Dixie State University student was arrested Wednesday for first-degree felony rape.
Samuel Heber Butler, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 26, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Samuel Heber Butler, 21, was arrested by campus police for the alleged rape of a Dixie State female student on the night of Jan. 9, according to a probable cause statement filed by Dixie State College Police in support of the arrest.
The woman reported the rape to police the next day. She told police she had met Butler on an online dating app called Tinder and had agreed to go on a date with him, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
“Prior to going out with the suspect, the (alleged) victim conversed online with the suspect where the suspect told the (alleged) victim he wanted to get laid,” the officer wrote in the statement. “The (alleged) victim told this department she made it clear that she did not want to have sex with the suspect but would go get coffee with the suspect.”
The woman told police that when Butler picked her up at her apartment, he took her to his apartment instead of going for coffee, according to the statement.
Once inside the apartment, the report stated, Butler forced himself upon the woman despite the woman repeatedly telling him “no” and trying to push Butler off. Butler reportedly proceeded to have sex with the woman and, when he was finished, put his arm and leg over her so she couldn’t get up.
When police interviewed him, Butler allegedly admitted to taking the woman to his apartment and having sex with her, according to the statement.
“The suspect stated the (alleged) victim told him that she was really horny but that she couldn’t do this because she is not that type of person,” the officer stated.
Upon further investigation, police learned of various other similar allegations made against Butler, the report stated.
“Since the interview, this department has learned that the suspect has had similar events in other areas of Utah to include Logan City, Orem City and Utah County,” the officer wrote. “This department learned that the suspect has been listed as a rape suspect in other cases where the suspect forces himself upon the victim.”
Butler was subsequently arrested Wednesday and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Butler of first-degree felony rape.
Butler is scheduled to make his initial appearance in 5th District Court Thursday afternoon before Judge Jeffrey Wilcox.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A 46-year-old St. George man is facing seven first-degree felony counts of sexual abuse of a child. He was arrested Wednesday for the alleged crime.
Carlos Alfredo Lopez Palma, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 26, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
On April 13, a female juvenile reported to a St. George Police detective that she had been sexually assaulted by Carlos Alfredo Lopez Palma on at least seven different occasions, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Washington City Police Department in support of the arrest.
The sexual assaults allegedly occurred at Lopez Palma’s apartment when he lived in Washington City, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
The girl told police she was in fifth grade and sixth grade when the alleged abuse, detailed in the police report, occurred, the report stated.
“Recently, the suspect has requested inappropriate photos of the (alleged) victim which she did not send to him,” the officer wrote in the statement, noting that Lopez Palma also offered money to the girl if she would take her shirt off.
According to the statement, Lopez Palma used his position of trust to facilitate the sexual offenses and would tell the girl “he loved her and wanted to be with her.”
Following a police investigation, Lopez Palma was arrested Wednesday and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Lopez Palma of five first-degree felony counts of aggravated sex abuse of a child along with two first-degree felony counts of sodomy on a child.
Lopez Palma is scheduled to make his initial appearance in 5th District Court Thursday afternoon before Judge Eric Ludlow.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
ST. GEORGE — A St. George business owner feels he’s paying a price for patriotism after being issued a code-enforcement violation from the city of St. George stating that a flagpole displaying the American flag at his RV dealership is in violation of city ordinance.
See video top of this report.
However, city officials said the business owner didn’t obtain a conditional use permit for a variance allowing for the pole’s height, which they said is five times higher than what the ordinance allows.
City of St. George officials forced the owner of Nielson RV to remove a newly-placed customized American flag from his business stating that the flag was a code violation, St. George, Utah, April 2017 | Photo courtesy of Nielson RV, St. George News
Flying proud
For a short period of time, motorists traveling along Interstate 15 were greeted in St. George with a stunning symbol of national pride as a spectacular supersize American flag came into view just north of the Bluff Street Exit 6.
The flag, spanning 60 feet by 80 feet, waved through the sky from the top of a 150-foot pole erected approximately two months ago in the parking lot of Nielson RV at 341 E. Sunland Drive.
Scott Nielson, owner of Nielson RV, said he had the flag custom made by Colonial Flag, a northern Utah company that was featured on “NFL Films Presents,” showcasing a 300-foot, 1,100-pound flag assembled by the company for the NFL. The company’s impressive flags could also be seen draped on the Capitol building on this year’s Inauguration Day in the District of Columbia.
While Nielson’s flag wasn’t quite as large as the NFL’s flag, it was large enough to get people’s attention and spark plenty of praise and “bounteous comments” from those appreciating Nielson’s show of patriotism.
However, when Old Glory caught the attention of the city of St. George, the response wasn’t as positive as Nielson had hoped.
Code enforcement
Two months after the pole was erected and approximately one week after the flag was raised, Nielson said he received a notice from the city dated April 18 stating his dealership was in violation of city code 10-14-13 and that he needed to remove the flag until he can obtain the proper exceptions.
The notice further stated:
This over height flagpole has not been approved by planning commission or city council. Please correct the violations before 05/02/2017. A Code Enforcement Officer will check after this date to determine if the violations have been corrected.
“We received notice that the height of the pole was too high and that we needed an exception,” Nielson said, “to go to the city and pay $300 for a variance to fly the symbol of freedom.”
Prior to the flagpole going up, Nielson said he had awarded the project to a sign company in town that ensured every effort would be made to abide by city ordinances in the installation.
The American flag at Nielson RV during a windstorm Sunday. Owner Scott Neilson said there were “some veterans with about 20 cars in this parking lot that came in and they saved the flag from touching the ground.” St. George, Utah, April 23, 2017 | Photo courtesy of Austin Maslow Skinner, St. George News
Symbol of freedom
Around the time Nielson received the notice, a strong windstorm hit Southern Utah and caused damage to the ringlets on the flag, Nielson said, resulting in the flag having to be taken down for repair.
“Luckily, it was on a Sunday and we had some veterans with about 20 cars in this parking lot that came in and they saved the flag from touching the ground,” Nielson said, adding: “What an awesome experience and patriotism we have in our community.”
Nielson said he erected the flagpole on his RV lot to honor veterans including his his grandfather, Bill Sampson, who served in World War II and was commemorated in Washington, D.C., for the service he performed for the country.
“I do that because of my grandpa and also for all those others out there that have sons and daughters, mothers and fathers that are serving this great nation,” Nielson said. “I love this country and I want to show my patriotism by flying the symbol of freedom.”
“This is a great community,” he said. “There should be no limitations, no exceptions needed by the City Council or any municipality government.”
Citizens shouldn’t have to pay money to fly the American flag, Neilson said.
Permitting process
City officials said Friday the issue has nothing to do with the American flag. The city’s issue is with the height of the flagpole and concerns that it may pose a safety risk, Marc Mortensen, St. George assistant to the city manager, said.
Nielson RV’s flagpole that for a short time staffed the American Flag is a point of contention between the business owner and the city of St. George. City officials said Friday the issue has nothing to do with the American flag but the 150-foot pole on which it flies, about five times what the city ordinance allows. St. George, Utah, April 28, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
“I think everyone loves the American flag, and the city, of course; we fly the flag at all of our facilities and all of our buildings,” Mortensen said, “but we currently do not have anything that is quite as high as that flagpole. One hundred and fifty feet is quite high for the city of St. George – that’s well beyond what the ordinance allows for the safety of the public. In fact, in this case, it’s about five times higher than what the ordinance allows.”
According to the city ordinance, Mortensen said, anyone wanting to erect a structure taller than 35 feet would have to go through the permitting process, which involves visiting with zoning and planning, going up the chain through the planning commission and eventually before the City Council, to obtain a conditional use permit from the city.
“We’re actually trying to help (Nielson) get through the process,” Mortensen said. “I think we all like the flag itself. We just want to make sure and ensure that it’s actually built correctly, that it’s safe, that it won’t come down, won’t fall and crash into the road or a building or, heaven forbid, a person.”
Nielson said he believes the height requirements ordinance is antiquated and needs to be changed.
A quandary
He said he is trying to resolve the issue with city officials, who have told him he needs an exception, but no one with the city has been able to tell him what the exception will be.
“I don’t know what to do,” Neilson said, “I’m in a quandary because I don’t know if I need to cut the pole in half, if I can even fly the flag because how do I rectify the situation if the flag’s in the air and how do I meet the deadlines by May 2 if I don’t know what those exceptions are with the city?”
Nielson said citizens need clear and concise laws on what to do and that the city’s overregulation, code enforcement and practicing unrighteous dominion needs to stop.
“No citizen should have to pay to be heard among the City Council to determine whether or not he or she can fly the American flag,” Nielson added.
Mortensen said the permitting fee is $300 and the process could take a couple months. He said the city hasn’t told Nielson that he can’t have the flag or flagpole – just that the flagpole needs to be approved through the proper channels to ensure it is structurally sound in accordance with the laws of St. George.
“Obviously, we would like to resolve the matter with him and that would involve him coming in, filling out the application and going through the permitting process that we’ve established at the City of St. George,” Mortensen said. “It’s a law of the land in St. George and we hope that one of our residents, especially an upstanding resident like him, would actually comply with the law.”
However, if Nielson doesn’t comply with the law, Mortensen said there is a potential for criminal charges, including a class C misdemeanor.
Go big or go to jail
Ultimately, Nielson said he plans on putting Old Glory back on the pole once it’s repaired.
“When that flag arrives and comes back, we’re gonna put it in the air,” Nielson said. “We’re not going to pay the City of St. George $300, let alone two copper pennies to fly the symbol of freedom, and no citizen of this country should be asked otherwise to do so. If criminal charges are filed, at this point, it’s go big or go to jail.”
In a post on Facebook concerning the matter, St. George City Mayor Jon Pike said he loves the tall pole and huge flag and looks forward to everything getting worked out, fixed and the flag back up.
“The flag quickly became an awesome focal point in the middle of the valley,” Mayor Pike said in the post, “and as I said, I look forward to seeing it back up.”
Copy of the first page of the Courtesy Notice from St. George to Nielson RV dated April 17, 2017, re violation of ordinance for flagpole exceeding height restrictions in city ordinances; pages 2 and 3 omitted, 2 being blank, 3 including a barely legible photograph of the flag flying similar to that included in the attached St. George News report. | Copy of notice courtesy of Nielson RV, St. George News
ST. GEORGE — A new and sophisticated phishing attack swiftly spread across the web Wednesday and into the inboxes of Gmail account users. Google said it is investigating the phishing scam and encouraged people not to click on the link.
“We have taken action to protect users against an email impersonating Google Docs, and have disabled offending accounts,” Google said in a statement. “We’ve removed the fake pages, pushed updates through Safe Browsing, and our abuse team is working to prevent this kind of spoofing from happening again.”
A phishing attack is a popular method of stealing credentials and hacking into people’s emails, bank accounts or other private accounts. A hacker poses as a trusted source and sends users a malicious link.
Wednesday’s sophisticated attack showed up in a convincing email appearing as though it was from a trusted source asking users to open a Google Document.
Users who clicked the link were taken to a page to open the “Google Docs” app with their Google account subsequently granting phishers full access to the user’s email account and contacts.
Anyone who opened the email and clicked on the link should check their Google App permissionsby clicking here, and delete the one called “Google Docs.”
The phishing attempt made its way across the internet for several hours Wednesday before Google blocked the page allowing users to give data permissions.
SOUTHERN UTAH — The Office of the Utah Attorney General announced Thursday the guilty plea of a former Kane County Treasurer for charges related to the misuse of public money.
Georgia Baca, of Washington City, Utah | Photo courtesy of the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Georgia Baca, 53, of Washington City, appeared before Judge Marvin D. Bagley in Kanab’s 6th Judicial District Court and pleaded guilty to one third-degree felony county of misusing public funds.
A possible prison sentence of up to five years was suspended. Instead, Baca was ordered to serve 30 days in jail and complete 36 months’ probation.
She was also ordered to pay $35,613 in restitution to Kane County.
Baca resigned as Kane County Treasurer in March 2016 after the Utah State Auditor’s Office released a report alleging that Baca had been stealing money for personal use for three years. Baca had held the treasurer’s position since 2006.
Officials said an investigation into the matter was initiated in January 2016 after hearing of a suspicious transaction made by Baca.
The Utah State Auditor’s office examined transactions between Jan. 1, 2013, and Jan. 1, 2016, and found transfers and payments which they deemed “improper and illegal” totaling over $36,000 and a discrepancy of over $56,000 in cash/check deposits which hasn’t been accounted for.
During the state’s audit, Kane County Commission Chairman Dirk Clayson and other Kane County officials were “very cooperative,” Utah State Auditor John Dougall said in a statement issued by the attorney general’s office Thursday.
“This effort was the result of a conscientious individual noticing a suspicious transaction and raising that concern,” Dougall said. “The Office of the State Auditor is actively engaged in holding government officials accountable and rooting out waste, fraud and abuse within government.”
Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes said he hopes the resolution brings some measure of closure to Kane County residents.
“As an elected official, the defendant held a fiduciary position with the citizens of her county,” Reyes said in the statement. “Sadly, she breached this trust. While it is never pleasant to bring charges against a fellow public servant, when it is necessary we will diligently do our jobs to assist the Court in holding them accountable.”
Utah State Rep. Mike Noel, R-Kanab, is also quoted in the statement saying, “This has been a difficult case, and I am grateful to see justice served for the people of our county.”
ST. GEORGE — The St. George community, including scores of uniformed police officers, family and friends, gathered Friday for the funeral of former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings.
Former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings, undated | St. George News
The funeral for Hutchings, who died Sunday at the age of 80, was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 166 S. Main Street in St. George.
Following the funeral Friday afternoon, Hutchings’ funeral procession made its way through downtown St. George.
A riderless horse was led in the procession followed by a white hearse, accompanied by two motorcycles and mounted officers. The procession made the short journey to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest.
A firing party consisting of seven riflemen fired a three-volley salute over Hutchings flag-draped casket.
Hutchings served as the St. George Chief of Police for 22 years until his retirement. He served as president of the Utah Chiefs of Police Association from 1981–1982 and was also a member of the Utah Council on Criminal Justice.
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A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
A funeral procession for former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings made its way through downtown St. George to the St. George Cemetery where Hutchings was laid to rest, St. George, Utah, May 5, 2017 | Photo by Michael Durrant, St. George News
Former St. George Police Chief Karl Joseph Hutchings, undated | St. George News
UTAH — A Mormon missionary from Utah died of unknown causes overnight Friday in Wisconsin.
Jeremy McCauley, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of the McCauley family, St. George News
Elder Jeremy McCauley, 19, of Payson, had served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Wisconsin Milwaukee Mission since November 2016, LDS Church Spokesman Eric Hawkins.
“We are saddened to share news of the death of one of our young missionaries,” Hawkins said in the statement. “We mourn with his family and loved ones and pray that they may be comforted as they deal with this tragic loss.”
The missionary’s parents, Scott and Marni McCauley, released a statement about their son’s passing.
“Our family is so very sad at the passing of our dear son,” the statement, provided by Hawkins, said. “We have been so pleased with his service as a missionary and for his love and dedication to Jesus Christ. While this loss is devastating, we take faith in what we know about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and we know that we will be with him again, as a family forever, which is the essence of the beautiful message he was so excited to share with the people of Wisconsin.”
ST. GEORGE — Two vehicles were towed from the scene of a crash at the intersection of 400 East and 500 South in St. George Monday after a teen driver reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic.
The scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 400 East and 500 South after a motorist reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic, St. George, Utah, April 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
At approximately 11:45 a.m., a 17-year-old girl driving a taupe 2014 Fiat was eastbound on 500 South passing the old hospital when she came to a stop sign at 400 East, commonly known as Flood Street.
While the teen was stopped at the stop sign, a 41-year-old man was driving a black 2009 Lincoln MKZ south on Flood Street, St. George Police Officer Lona Trombley said.
As the man approached the 500 South intersection, the teen pulled out in front of him, Trombley said.
“She thought the black Lincoln had a stop sign at 400 East southbound, too,” Trombley said.
However, the man did not have a stop sign and the two vehicles crashed. The impact of the collision forced the Fiat into a southbound direction, ripping the entire front bumper off the small SUV.
“The driver of the Lincoln complained of back pain,” Trombley said, “but was not transported (to the hospital).”
The crash rendered the two vehicles inoperable and both were subsequently towed from the scene.
The driver of the Fiat was issued a citation for failure to yield after a stop sign, Trombley said.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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The scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 400 East and 500 South after a motorist reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic, St. George, Utah, April 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
The scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 400 East and 500 South after a motorist reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic, St. George, Utah, April 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
The scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 400 East and 500 South after a motorist reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic, St. George, Utah, April 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
The scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 400 East and 500 South after a motorist reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic, St. George, Utah, April 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
The scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 400 East and 500 South after a motorist reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic, St. George, Utah, April 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
The scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 400 East and 500 South after a motorist reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic, St. George, Utah, April 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
The scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 400 East and 500 South after a motorist reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic, St. George, Utah, April 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
The scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of 400 East and 500 South after a motorist reportedly failed to yield to oncoming traffic, St. George, Utah, April 8, 2017 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News
ST. GEORGE — Human remains were discovered Sunday by national park rangers at the base of Horseshoe Bend located 5 miles downstream from Lake Powell within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Horseshoe Bend south of Page, Arizona, Nov. 27, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Carolyn Barton, St. George News
The remains are those of a male, National Park Service officials said.
No other details about the identity of the remains were immediately available.
Officials from Arizona’s Coconino County Sheriffs’ Office will conduct an investigation and release more details as they become available, according to a statement issued Monday by the National Park Service.
Horseshoe Bend, located 4 miles southwest of Page, Arizona, is a horseshoe-shaped incised meander of the Colorado River.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
ST. GEORGE — An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder after the body of a 16-year-old girl was found hanging from a tree in a Utah campground. Officials said the man recorded the girl’s death on a cellphone.
Tyerell Joe Przybycien, of Spanish Fork, Utah, booking photo posted May 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
Just after 7 a.m. Saturday, Utah County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a report of a body hanging in a tree near Maple Lake Campground in Payson Canyon, according to a statement issued Monday by the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrived on scene and found a 16-year-old Spanish Fork girl who had died and was still hanging from a tree.
“While still on scene, investigators were approached by an 18-year-old Spanish Fork man who said he knew this girl and had been with her when she died,” Sgt. Spencer Cannon said in a statement.
Upon further investigation, detectives learned that the 18-year-old, identified as Tyerell Joe Przybycien, had purchased several items used to facilitate the girl’s death, the statement said.
“Other evidence at the scene included a cellphone recording made by Przybycien of the 16-year-old girl as she died,” Cannon stated.
Based on Przybycien’s actions, along with evidence collected, officials determined Przybycien played an active role in the death of the girl.
Przybycien was subsequently arrested and booked in to the Utah County Jail. Bail for his release pending trial stands at $20,000 cash-only.
The investigation into the teen’s death is ongoing, officials said Monday.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
WASHINGTON COUNTY — During a traffic stop in Washington City Saturday, police reportedly located methamphetamine in the lap of a driver, leading to the arrest of two Washington County men on a variety of drug-related charges including a first-degree felony for drug possession with the intent to distribute.
Late Saturday night, officers located a vehicle near 100 S. Main Street that had been reported to police as having a possible drunk driver, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Washington City Police Department in support of the arrest.
Christopher Edward Bravot Jr., of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted May 6, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
The vehicle’s registration returned as being suspended so, officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, the arresting officer wrote in a sworn statement.
When officers approached the driver, identified as 34-year-old Christopher Edward Bravot Jr., of St. George, they spotted a baggie in his lap containing a white crystalline substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the statement.
When officers asked Bravot to step out of the vehicle to detain him, they noticed he had poor balance, the report stated.
“While speaking to Christopher (Bravot), his speech was slow and labored, the officer wrote in the statement. “… While speaking to Christopher, he appeared to have a hard time staying awake. Christopher’s speech became worse and worse.”
Jerame Scott Hafen, of Santa Clara, Utah, booking photo posted May 6, 2017 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News
A passenger in the vehicle, identified as 27-year-old Jerame Scott Hafen, of Santa Clara, was also detained, according to the statement.
During a search of the vehicle, officers also located a baggie of marijuana, the report stated.
While searching Hafen, officers allegedly located several baggies containing a variety of drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine and more than 180 pills with 17 different types of prescription pills, the report stated.
Hafen and Bravot were arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office filed an information in 5th District Court accusing Hafen of first-degree felony drug possession with intent to distribute; two second-degree felony counts of drug possession with intent to distribute; and two third-degree felony counts of drug possession.
Hafen made his initial appearance in court before Judge John Walton Monday afternoon. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on May 15.
The Attorney’s Office filed an information accusing Bravot of third-degree felony drug possession; a class A misdemeanor count of drug possession; a class B misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; along with two class C misdemeanor counts of driving on a denied license and operating a vehicle without license or registration.
Bravot was released from police custody on $11,420 bail. He is scheduled to appear before 5th District Judge G. Michael Westfall May 12 for his initial appearance.
Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
