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ARIZONA OFFICIAL-ADOPTION FRAUD
Official quits amid charges he paid women to give up babies
PHOENIX (AP) — An Arizona elected official has resigned amid charges he paid women from the Marshall Islands to give up their children for adoption in the U.S. Maricopa County Assessor Paul Petersen’s resignation Tuesday came after county leaders suspended him. Petersen has been charged with illegally paying women to come to the United States to give up their babies for adoption in three states. He faces human smuggling charges in Utah and Arkansas and is accused of defrauding Arizona's Medicaid system. His attorneys say Petersen ran a legal adoption practice and has been vilified before his side of the story comes out.
FLU DEATH
First flu death of season recorded in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah health officials have confirmed the state's first flu death this season. Southwest Utah Public Health Department officials say the person was under the age of 65 and lived in one of the five counties in its district, which includes Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane and Washington. Officials did not release additional information out of privacy concerns. Another 172 people have been hospitalized in what officials are calling a moderate flu season so far. A Salt Lake County Health Department official says there has been a high number of cases of Influenza B, which typically isn't seen until the end of the season.
AIR FORCE-FIGHTER JET EXERCISE
Air Force launches 52 fighter jets in Utah training exercise
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AP) — The U.S. Air Force has conducted an exercise involving the launch of 52 fighter jets from a Utah air base. The Standard-Examiner reports Hill Air Force Base launched the F-35A Lightning II fighters over a 10-minute period around 11 a.m. Monday. The 388th and 419th Fighter Wings conducted the combat exercise that sent the jets to the Utah Test and Training Range. The 388th vice commander said Monday’s exercise was planned as a culminating event after the fighter wings received their full complement of jets and was not in response to the escalating situation with Iran.
CRASH-TESLA-DUI
Police: DUI suspected after Tesla hits car, injuring 3
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Police say a man behind the wheel of a Tesla that hit another car and left three people critically injured in Utah is suspected of driving intoxicated. Police Sgt. Keith Horrocks said Monday the car’s battery burst into flames after it ran a red light and crashed in Salt Lake City Sunday morning. It was put out by a hazardous-materials crew. Two men in the Tesla and a woman in the other car, a Nissan Sentra, were taken to hospitals in critical condition. Horrocks says authorities are investigating criminal charges against the Tesla’s driver, who remains hospitalized.
HOMELESS PROTEST-ARRESTS
Police arrest 17 in Salt Lake City park homeless protest
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Police have arrested demonstrators who were camping in a park surrounding Salt Lake City Hall to protest the treatment of homeless people. The Salt Lake Tribune reports 17 members of the Take Shelter Coalition were arrested early Sunday. Police said four people were booked into Salt Lake County jail and that 13 were issued citations. The coalition began the protest last Thursday when they set up tents in Washington Square Park. Demonstrators had planned to stay in the park until public officials listened to their demands. The demands include a new downtown shelter and for police to stop issuing tickets for camping.
FATAL HOUSE FIRE-OGDEN
Man found dead after house fire in Ogden
OGDEN, Utah (AP) — A man was found dead in a two-story house that caught fire in Ogden. The Ogden Fire Department says neighbors reported the fire at 3:45 a.m. Monday. Crews battled the fire for about 30 minutes before they could get inside. The man's body was found on the floor upstairs. The department has not released the man's name. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage to the house is estimated at $200,000.
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