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HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL TOURISM
Utah school from ‘High School Musical’ may get tourist boost
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Fans of the movie “High School Musical” have been coming to see the Utah school where the movie was filmed more than a decade ago. The trend could grow with the premiere of Disney’s new streaming service series based on the story.
The Deseret News reports that much the popular 2006 movie and new show were filmed at East High School in Salt Lake City. To draw in fans, the state office of tourism has compiled a four-day, four-night “High School Musical Itinerary” for visitors to follow.
The campus is open to visitors for a self-guided walking tour on weekdays from 2:30 until 7 p.m.
East High School assistant principal Ken DeVries says tourists occasionally get a little overexcited, but fans are respectfully “thrilled to see where their favorite show is made.”
CELLMATE KILLED-MURDER CHARGE
Utah State Prison inmate charged with killing cellmate
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah State Prison inmate has been charged with first-degree murder in the killing of his cellmate.
The Deseret News reports 24-year-old James Tamoua of Salt Lake City was charged Friday in state District Court in the Sept. 21 killing of 38-year-old Reo Guy Watts of Salem at the prison in Draper.
According to charging documents, Tamoua said during an interview after the killing that he had strangled Watts. No motive was stated.
Online court records didn’t list an attorney for Tamoua who could comment on the allegations.
BOEING CAPSULE-ARIZONA
Arizona county prepares for role as landing site for capsule
BISBEE, Ariz. (AP) — Cochise County officials don’t have to consider possible emergency responses or road closures when thousands of migratory birds drop in on the Wilcox Playa annually.
Not so with Boeing Corp.’s plan to use the flat desert grassland in southeastern Arizona as one of five preferred landing sites in four states for its new reusable space capsule.
County supervisors briefed recently by Boeing representatives and county officials were told that parts such as heat shield doors might be jettisoned from the parachuting capsule and that a Boeing contractor would clean up hazardous materials.
Also, roads might have to be closed with dozens of law enforcement officers being deployed to secure the landing site. Viewing areas would be designated for VIPs and the media, and an ambulance would be on standby.
CHILD KILLED
Salt Lake City police: Boy struck, killed at intersection
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Salt Lake City police say a 5-year-old boy died Saturday after he and his mother were struck by a car at an intersection.
Police said the woman was taken to a hospital for treatment of a leg injury.
Sgt. Brett Olsen said police were investigating whether the man driving the car was impaired.
No identities were released.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS
Utah extends fire restrictions in 11 counties by a month
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Seasonal fire restrictions are being extended in 11 Utah counties by a month due to what officials say are dry conditions and continued problems with controlling wildfires.
The state Department of Natural Resources says State Forester Brian Cottam has signed proclamations to ban debris burning without a permit in unincorporated areas of the 11 counties before Dec. 1.
The department says the actions apply to Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne, Beaver, Iron, Washington, Garfield and Kane counties.
According to the department, the extensions are a response to record fire danger across much of central and southern Utah, regions that have gone without precipitation since June.
The department says the conditions “have made for fire behavior not normally seen in November.”
STUDENT ATHLETES-ROMNEY
Romney backs paying college athletes to help poor players
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Sen. Mitt Romney says he supports efforts to allow college athletes to profit from their name and image because he wants to help poor students who may never become professional athletes.
Romney made his comments Friday afternoon in Salt Lake City after a discussing the topic with athletic directors from Utah colleges. He says the meeting made him realize there are many more options than he thought.
The Republican says he wants to make sure rules prevent certain colleges from becoming “super magnets” and doesn’t make athletes employees of universities, which could trigger problems with employment laws.
He says California’s first-in-the-nation law allowing college athletes to profit from their name and image by 2023 has “lit a fuse” and might compel Congress to get involved. The NCAA last month voted to draw up similar rules.
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