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AP-US-EXTREME STALKING
Hawaii man pleads guilty to cyberstalking Utah family
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Hawaii man accused of tormenting a Utah family for more than a year by using the internet to send more than 500 people to their house for unwanted services including food deliveries, repairs, tow trucks, locksmiths, plumbers and prostitutes pleaded guilty Monday to one count of cyberstalking. The 44-year-old Loren Okamura entered the pleas during a video conference hearing that capped off a case that prosecutors called an “extreme” example of the darker and seedier side of modern technology. The victims' attorney Nathan Crane says the Gilmores are relieved that Okamura accepted responsibility for his actions that took a major toll on them.
SMALL PLANE CRASH-UTAH
Police identify victims, survivors after Utah plane crash
WEST JORDAN, Utah (AP) — Police have identified the three adults and 9-month-old child who died after a small airplane crashed in a Salt Lake City suburb this weekend. Police say the pilot, Lee Wyckoff, his 9-month-old daughter Coral Wyckoff and Milda Shibonis died when a Piper PA-32 crashed into a West Jordan backyard on Saturday. Mary Quintana who was on her back porch when the plane crashed died Monday. The pilot’s wife, Rebecca Wyckoff, and a 2-year-old were critically injured. Shibonis’ 12-year-old daughter was the only passenger who wasn’t critically injured. A total of three homes were damaged.
SMALL PLANE CRASH-UTAH
3 dead after small plane crashes into Utah neighborhood
WEST JORDAN, Utah (AP) — Authorities say three people are dead and others injured when a small airplane crashed in a suburban Salt Lake City neighborhood on Saturday. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, a Piper PA-32 with six people on board had taken off from South Valley Regional Airport and crashed into a West Jordan backyard. West Jordan Police said a 9-month-old, the pilot and a woman died, while a woman is in critical condition and a 2-year-old is in stable condition. They also said an older woman who was inside the house when the plane struck is in critical condition. The crash caused at least one home to catch on fire. A total of three homes were damaged.
AP-US-DISABILITIES-ACT-ANNIVERSARY
Disabled Americans mark milestone as crisis deepens job woes
The Americans With Disabilities Act was a major turning point in opening large parts of U.S. society to disabled people, but three decades after its passage disabled workers still face higher unemployment than other adults -- a problem compounded by the coronavirus pandemic. In 2019, the unemployment rate was nearly 8% for disabled people, which was double that of other workers. In June 2020, the unemployment rate for disabled people rose to 16.5%, compared to 11% for workers without a disability. Sunday marks 30 years since the ADA was signed into law. It prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in areas such as employment, transportation and public accommodations.
RACIAL BIAS EFFECTS-SENTENCING
Utah offenders can raise racial bias concerns at sentencing
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Minorities who have been charged with crimes in Utah can argue against lengthy conviction sentences if they can provide proof of racial bias in the criminal justice system. The Salt Lake Tribune reported Saturday that the Utah Sentencing Commission approved the guideline in January, but it does not appear many defense attorneys have tried to make the argument yet. Judges look at many factors during sentencing, including a defendant’s age and criminal history, but attorneys can now bring up racial issues. The move came after state data showed that the percentage of minorities among new prisoners has increased, despite previous reform efforts.
VIRUS OUTBREAK-UNEMPLOYMENT
Utah workers worry as federal unemployment aid expires
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Federal unemployment aid that has helped avert financial ruin for millions of Americans is expiring in Utah and elsewhere on Saturday, leaving many residents unsure of how they’ll pay their bills as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases rise. Since early in the pandemic, the federal government has added $600 to the weekly unemployment checks. But with the program set to end, many are left wondering how they’ll make ends meet. New unemployment claims in Utah have dropped overall as the state economy reopens, but some jobs haven’t come back. Tens of thousands live-events workers remain in limbo, with little idea of when it might be safe to hold the gatherings.
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