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DEADLY ROCK SLIDE CORRECTION
Geologists: Rock slides could hit Utah homes
((Eds: Corrects agency's name to "Survey" instead of "Society"))
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Geologists are warning of the possibility of more rock slides in Utah like one in December that killed a middle-aged couple, flattening their cliff-side home near Zion National Park.
The Utah Geological Survey released its report Thursday, saying a massive sandstone slab near the one dislodged by rain and snow in December now threatens to crash and shatter onto the slope below.
Officials say boulders could then crush a string of homes in Rockville, about 250 miles south of Salt Lake City. The report said the force of the rockslide would feel like an explosion.
The report warns residents to pack up and move or understand that they could die if they choose to stay.
The warning comes less than 2 weeks after at least 30 people were killed by a mudslide in Washington state.
SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION
Utah governor signs sex abuse prevention measure
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has given final approval to a measure aiming to prevent child sex abuse by creating an awareness program in Utah schools.
Herbert's office announced Wednesday that he has signed the measure. It also has the backing of former kidnapping and sexual assault victim Elizabeth Smart.
The measure allows schools to choose if they want to teach students what to do if they are abused or made subject to inappropriate contact from adults.
And parents may opt students out of the program.
During the legislative session this year, some lawmakers opposed measure saying it could lessen parental rights.
But Salt Lake City Democrat Rep. Angela Romero, who sponsored the measure, says many schools already offer such lessons.
The program will start during the 2016-2017 school year.
DIVORCE CLASSES
Utah Gov. signs divorce measure into law
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has signed into law a proposal to help more of the state's couples save their marriages.
Herbert's office in a Wednesday statement announced that he gave final approval to the measure.
The measure strengthens an existing requirement for divorcing parents who have children under 18. It requires them take a class on divorce and how it affects children earlier on in the legal process, before a court may grant custody or financial orders.
Critics say it's not likely to do much good. They say once couples reach the class, they will likely go through with the divorce.
Utah was the first state to require that parents complete such a class in 1994.
The law goes into effect July 1.
DEPUTY-AMMUNITION CHARGES
Utah deputy accused of stealing ammunition
(Information in the following story is from: The Herald Journal, http://www.hjnews.com)
LOGAN, Utah (AP) — A former Utah sheriff's deputy is facing criminal charges after an investigation by the Utah attorney general's office found he stole two cases of ammunition and sold them at pawn shops.
Cache County Sheriff Lynn Nelson says 31-year-old Justin Curtis was fired in November after the report was released.
Curtis is scheduled to appear in Logan Municipal Court on April 22 on misdemeanor theft charges.
The Herald Journal reports Curtis is the son of the assistant police chief in Logan, so allegations about Curtis were forwarded to the attorney general's office to investigate.
Messages left with Curtis' attorney Shannon Demler were not immediately returned Thursday afternoon.
Nelson says the ammunition was worth several hundred dollars.
SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Legislators consider overriding governor vetoes
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah legislative leaders are polling lawmakers to see if they want to meet for a special session to override Gov. Gary Herbert's decision to veto three bills this week.
The Republican governor on Wednesday vetoed three bills dealing with legislative subpoenas, parental review of curriculum and government assessment areas.
Two-thirds of both the House and Senate would need to vote for an override session, which must be called before May 14.
Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, a Sandy Republican, says legislators plan to announce a decision about an override session by April 14.
Herbert says he expects legislator may need to convene for a separate special session later this year to address Medicaid.
HOME BURGLARIZED-GIRLS HIDE
Girls hide, call 911 while house is burglarized
(Information in the following story is from: Standard-Examiner, http://www.standard.net)
OGDEN, Utah (AP) — Two Utah sisters are safe after hiding in a bedroom closet while burglars rummaged through their house.
Police say the incident happened a little before 10 a.m. Wednesday at a home in unincorporated Weber County.
The Standard-Examiner reports 13-year-old Kylee Newell and her 8-year-old sister Audrey were off from school for spring break when they heard a knock on the door.
Deputies say the girls didn't answer because their parents were out, but heard the suspects kicking the door and ran to hide and call 911.
The two suspects roamed through the house and the room where the girls were, but didn't see them.
Arriving deputies caught up with 50-year-old Robert Keith Paul and 31-year-old Amy Nicole Hulse near the house and arrested them on suspicion of burglary.
ELECTRIC CAR CHARGING STATION
1st fast-charging station for electric cars
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah government leaders are unveiling the Salt Lake City area's first fast-charging station for electric cars.
Electric car owners will be able to recharge their vehicles in 10-40 minutes at the new station, compared to four hours or more at a traditional station.
The charging station is at the Salt Lake County government center. It will be open around the clock to electric car owners. They can buy the electricity using a credit card.
Salt Lake County mayor Ben McAdams will be joined by Ted Wilson of the Utah Clean Air Partnership and members of Gov. Gary Herbert's office at a Thursday morning event to discuss the new station.
The station was a joint project of the state, county and the Utah Clean Air Partnership.
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