Summer Solstice Sunset Observation Program at the Parowan Gap, Supermoon, Parowan, Utah, June 23, 2013 | Photo by Ron Olroyd, St. George News

OPINION – Did you see it?

Did it take your breath away?

Wasn’t it awesome?

I’m not talking about the guy who walked a two-inch piece of cable across the Little Colorado River Gorge on Navajo Nation land without a net or tether. The federal government wouldn’t allow him a permit to cross the Grand Canyon proper, and rightly so. The government should not be in the business of encouraging people to walk a tiny piece of cable 1,500 feet above certain death.

No, what I’m talking about is the supermoon, which was visible over the weekend.

Saturday’s show was bigger and brighter than Sunday’s, with fewer clouds and a slightly bigger moon to gaze at. Either night, though, it was a beautiful sight.

I don’t know why we turn our heads skyward for inspiration, answers, or in a quest for answered prayers, but we do.

A big, beautiful moon against an ebony sky has set the writer to wax poetic for more than a thousand years. Lovers stare longingly into the moonlit night, soaking in the ambience of calm and warmth. And, sometimes, all that is needed is for the right shooting star to streak across the sky to make a soulful wish come true. I have been on the grateful receiving end of that. I believe.

Technically, what we witnessed this past weekend was a perigee moon, which occurs when the moon is at least 90 percent to its closest approach to the Earth. This weekend’s supermoon made it appear 14 times larger and 30 times brighter than normal. We get another supermoon this year on July 22, but we will not have one as large as this weekend’s until next year.

The moon, of course, has a tremendous impact on mere mortals. It controls the tides and is thought to have played a part in life emerging from the sea as organisms that thrived beneath the water were strengthened by more prolonged periods in an alien atmosphere of air, making some, eventually, strong enough to find their way to shore with the ability to breathe on land.

The moon plays a significant role in keeping the Earth tilted at 23.5 degrees on its axis, a result of a gigantic planetary collision, science tells us, that created the moon.

And, then, there is the role the moon plays in a solar eclipse, reminding us that we are rather small and insignificant in the scope of a bewildering universe.

Really, though, I would rather think of the moon in other terms, like the soft comfort of a silent moonlit night as the lunar beams reflect off the calm ocean, a gentle breeze on the face, a soft warming of the heart and soul.

The moon knows all, looking down from its lofty perch at a world tilted and whirling, too fast, at times, for us to tread.

The moon has seen all, but holds within its silence the secret joys and tragedies of the heart.

The moon dips and yields to the breaking dawn, signaling the end of night where we weigh the significance of ourselves and whether we wasted another exhausted day or spent it wisely.

We also see the moon in terms of the human soul, with its bright and shining visible side hiding a shadowy, foreboding dark side that is seldom seen.

Supermoon, shot from St. George, Utah, June 22, 2013 | Photo by John DuCrest, St. George News

Those of us of a certain age can recall, unequivocally, where we were and what we were doing on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed in the Sea of Tranquility on the lunar surface.

I don’t think there was a pair of eyes on the Earth that did not turn toward the moon that night in complete bewilderment as we realized that, for the first time, there was somebody looking back.

Only 10 others — Pete Conrad, Alan Bean, Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell, David Scott, James Irwin, John W. Young, Charles Duke, Eugene Cernan, and Harrison Schmidt — would follow.

And, although manned moon expeditions would end in 1972, our fascination with our nearest neighbor in the galaxy hasn’t.

“The moon is a friend for the lonesome to talk to,” Carl Sandberg once said. While that may be so, science still studies it, the poets translate its beams into verse, and lovers blissfully walk beneath it.

That guy who walked across the gorge in Arizona last weekend said now he wants to string a cable between the Empire State and Chrysler buildings in New York City and walk the 1.4 miles between them.

You know, sooner or later, the odds will catch up with him and he will, more than likely, plunge to an inglorious death, a victim of his own stupidity.

No thanks and pardon my rudeness if I turn my back, but I will, instead, look to the skies for beauty, promise, warmth, and the continuation of our precious life cycle, not the end.

Besides, I still need to find that shooting star and thank it for a prayer answered.

No bad days!

Related posts

Shoot the supermoon 2013; STGnews Photo Gallery, submissions invited

Ed Kociela is an opinion columnist. The opinions stated in this article are his and not representative of St. George News.

Email: edkociela.mx@gmail.com

Twitter: @STGnews, @EdKociela

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

Supermoon June 2013, St. George, Utah | Photo by Sandie Divan, image composite by St. George News

The post On the EDge: Did you look to the sky this weekend? It was super; and then there was a cable walker appeared first on St. George News | STGnews.com.

ST. GEORGE – The “Southern Son” book tour will bring author Victoria Wilcox to St. George Saturday, June 29. Wilcox is the author of “Inheritance,” Book One of the historical novel trilogy, “Southern Son: The Saga of Doc Holliday.” She will give a presentation on Doc Holliday and sign books at Barnes & Noble at Red Cliffs Mall from 2-4 p.m.

Although the name Doc Holliday calls to mind images of the Wild West and the shootout at the OK Corral, before he was a Western legend he was a Southern son, born in Georgia in the last days of the Old South with family links to “Gone with the Wind” author Margaret Mitchell. The saga begins with “Inheritance,” set during the turbulent times of the Civil War and Reconstruction, as young John Henry Holliday faces first love and family tragedy, honor and betrayal, and a violent encounter that changes his life forever.

Doc Holliday, before 1881

Get ready to learn that most everything you know about Doc Holliday is wrong. A few fun facts about him in the words of his cousin Mattie, “He was a much different man than the one of Western legend,” Wilcox quotes.

“In my talks I give a little quiz, asking, ‘Which of the following do you think was true of Doc Holliday?  Was he A) a volunteer fireman, B) a member of the Methodist Church, C) a member of the Temperance League, fighting against public drunkenness, or D) a member of the organizing committee of the Independent Political party?’”

“The surprising answer is that he was all four,” Wilcox said, explaining:

Because Doc Holliday died young and was outlived by nearly all the men he knew, he didn’t get to tell his own story.  Others told it to make themselves look good — and let him look bad.  He considered himself a forerunner of government and a civilizing force in the Wild West.  He was not, as so often portrayed, a dangerous drunk with a death wish.  He was actually a young man who wanted very much to live and spent much of his time in the west traveling from one hot springs resort to another, looking for a cure.  This isn’t to say that he wasn’t a bit of a Wild West bad boy, because he earned some of that reputation.  But he was something of a hero, too.

A native Californian, Wilcox’s move to Atlanta introduced her to southern charms and to the home of Doc Holliday’s uncle which was built in the 1850s where Doc Holliday had spent many nights.

Initially clueless about the home’s history, yet intrigued, Wilcox said to her girls as they’d drive by, “Mommy’s going to do something with that house, someday. Maybe I’d open a restaurant, something with an Old South theme: ‘Belle Watling’s Place’ perhaps, playing on the ‘Gone with the Wind’ look of it.”

“I didn’t start out to be a novelist,” Wilcox said. “I was just answering TV and newspaper reporters’ questions about the people behind the Holliday House.  But every time I was interviewed, the reporters got their facts wrong.  So I made up a fact sheet for their reference, and they still got it wrong.”

But it wasn’t easy to get the facts right. When Wilcox began to do more research of Doc Holliday’s life, her timeline of his life out west based on previously accepted facts didn’t add up.

“He couldn’t be both here and there, couldn’t do this at the same time he did that, couldn’t be running from death and trying to kill himself in the very same beleaguered breath,” Wilcox said.  “I wasn’t the first writer to see the inconsistencies in the supposed facts.”

Many writers explained it away by calling Doc Holliday crazy. “But crazy doesn’t account for dates that don’t add up and timelines that don’t connect,” Wilcox said. “Maybe, just maybe, the ‘facts’ weren’t facts at all.”

So her research over 18 years came from primary source materials such as wills, deeds and court documents. She also utilized secondary sources such as old newspaper accounts, letters and memoirs and interviews with family members. Wilcox traveled all over the country, from Georgia to Philadelphia, St. Louis, Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and New Orleans and up the Mississippi River following the life of Doc Holliday.

“In trying to dramatize his life, I’d discovered his life,” Wilcox said, ”or a lot of it, anyway, enough to fill three volumes of novelized reality as I relived his life from childhood to his last days.”

“Inheritance” was released in May by Knox Robinson Publishing, London & New York. Wilcox, a member of the Western Writers of America and founding director of Georgia’s Holliday-Dorsey-Fife House Museum, spent 18 years researching and writing the Southern Son saga, becoming a nationally known expert on the life of Doc Holliday.

L-R: “Melanie,” played by Olivia De Havilland, “Baby Beau,” played by Patrick Curtis, in “Gone With the Wind” | Photo courtesy of Patrick Curtis, St. George News

As far as what brings Wilcox’s tour to Southern Utah, “Family,” Wilcox said. “I’m attending the Western Writers of America Convention in Las Vegas the day before and signing books there, and thought it would be fun to visit my husband’s parents in St. George while we were in the area.  They retired to St. George from California a few years back and love living in Red Rock country,” Wilcox said.

“And I am looking forward to meeting my newest friend, St. George resident Patrick Curtis, who played Melanie’s baby in the 1939 film epic, “Gone with the Wind.”  We were introduced over the Internet by a “Windie” – the nickname “Gone with the Wind” fans calls themselves.  After writing a book about Doc Holliday and his real-life sweetheart, the girl who became the model for Melanie in “Gone with the Wind,” now I get to meet Melanie’s baby.  It’s just another one of the amazing coincidences that have filled this project.”

“She’s a really good writer,” said Patrick Curtis, childhood actor, film producer and director, whose involvements include a plethora of old Westerns starring Charlton Heston, Raquel Welch and others, as well as more recently directing the 1995 TNT movie,”The Avenging Angel,” starring Charlton Heston as Brigham Young and centered on the Utah settlement of the early Mormon church.

“I’ve always been interested in the West, and she’s written a wonderful story about it,” Curtis said, who will attend Wilcox’s Saturday book signing. “It’s a fascinating book and I am looking forward to being there.” 

Regarding coincidences, Wilcox said, “I suppose I should mention Nov. 8.  That’s the day that Doc Holliday died.  It’s also the date that Margaret Mitchell was born, and the date that I was born as well.  Which may be why the house was whispering to me; we had something in common and a story that needed telling.  You might say it’s been my legacy.”

Resources

Author Victoria Wilcox’s website, features the world of Doc Holliday, a trailer and a sample chapter: victoriawilcoxbooks.com

 Event Recap

What: Book signing –  ”Inheritance,” Book One of the historical novel trilogy, “Southern Son: The Saga of Doc Holliday.”

When: Saturday 2-4 p.m.

Where: Barnes & Noble, Red Cliffs Mall, St. George / Telephone 435-627-8412.

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Email: sisaacson@stgnews.com

Twitter: @sarahisaacson1

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

Author Victoria Wilcox | Publicity photo courtesy of Victoria Wilcox, St. George News

The post The truth behind Doc Holliday, expert to visit St. George appeared first on St. George News | STGnews.com.

CEDAR CITY – Groovefest is dedicated to showcasing American music, whether it is blues, folk, country, jazz or an experimental fusion of various genres; music that captures the listener and comes from the soul.

The creative forces behind Groovefest are Tim Cretsinger and Lisa Cretsinger, owners of the Groovacious record store in Cedar City. The festival has grown by leaps and bounds and, now in its 11th year, has expanded to a week-long event from June 24 to 30.

The 2013 musical lineup features Afro-Zep, Contino, Courtney Marie Andrews, D. Bess, Dirty Bourbon River Show, Levee Town, Loose Connection, Melody & Tyler, Ned Evett & Triple Double, Otter Creek, Swamp Cabbage, Victor and Penny, Water Tower, Woody Pines, Bila Gaana and Rian Basilio & The Roosters. A variety of workshops and special performances focus on everything from music and literature to spirituality. The bulk of festival activities will be held during the day at Main Street Park in Cedar City. A detailed schedule can be found here.

“The musicians that perform here are only half of what make Groovefest what it is,” Lisa Cretsinger said. “Groovefest is also a community of like-minded people that love music and only want other people to enjoy it with them. Groovefest is about art and the sharing of art.”

The festival is free to attend, though some activities may have fees. Donations are always accepted. Pets are allowed as long as they are kept on a leash and handled responsibly. More information about Groovefest can be found on the festival website.

Event flyer | Photo courtesy of Groovefest

Event details and contact information

Date: June 24-30

Time: All day; see schedule for details

Location: Main Street Park, 200 North and Main Street, Cedar City

Admission: Free

Contact: Groovefest – 435-867-9800 or groovefest@groovacious.com

Contributing submission by: Groovefest

Email: avmorgan@stgnews.com

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

The post Get your groove on: Groovefest weeklong music festival appeared first on St. George News | STGnews.com.

ST. GEORGE – The driver involved in the 2011 hit-and-run case that left a jogger critically injured pleaded guilty Tuesday as the two-year-old case came to resolution.

Marilu Angel, 24, of St. George, appeared at a resolution hearing in Fifth District Court Tuesday morning and pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony charge of failing to remain at an accident involving a serious injury.

The charge stemmed from a June 21, 2011, accident in which Angel struck a jogger, 59-year-old Marva Cutler, of St. George, on Little Valley Road after drifting across traffic lanes; Angel hit an earthen embankment and drove away.

Cutler was critically injured in the accident and had to be airlifted by Life Flight helicopter to University Medical Center in Las Vegas. She has since undergone multiple surgeries and continues to attend physical therapy as a part of her recovery.

 St. George News recently spoke to the Cutlers about the accident and Marva Culter’s continuing recovery. The family is grateful Marva Cutler is still alive, yet added the hardest thing to deal with in the wake of the accident has been mounting medical expenses.

Jason Velez, Angel’s attorney, said his client had passed out just before the accident due to a medical condition, and wasn’t entirely coherent of factors connected with the crash at the time it occurred. According to the St. George Police Department, Angel was at the scene of the crash after emergency crews responded and tended to Cutler, yet she didn’t disclose her identity as the driver to police at the time.

With the two year anniversary of the accident passing on Friday, Zachery Weiland, prosecuting attorney with the Washington County Attorney’s Office, said he had recently spoken to the Cutler family and said they were glad to see things being resolved.

“They want closure,” Weiland said. “We’re all working to resolve this.”

Though the Cutlers have not been heavily involved in court proceedings, Weiland said he had been in regular contact with the family since assuming the case a few months ago.

Velez said his his client was also seeking closure, and added Angel’s guilty plea was a sign she was taking responsibility for what had happened.

As part of the resolution, a class C misdemeanor for failing to stay in one lane was dropped, and a pre-sentencing investigation was arranged. Velez said this was to allow his client to provide potentially mitigating evidence connected to the circumstances that led to the accident.

As well, Velez said he was in the process of identifying various sources of financial aid that could be applied to Cutler’s medical expenses as a part of Angel’s restitution.

Angel’s sentencing hearing is currently set for Sept. 3, 2013, at 10 a.m.

Related:

• Marva’s miracle: Two years later, hit-and-run victim’s recovery defies the odds
• Suspect in June 2011 hit-and-run appears in court.
• Charges filed in Cutler hit-and-run case
• Driver in Hit-and-Run Identified
• Police Describe Hit-and-Run in Detail for First Time, Say Charges Will Come After Full Investigation
• Neighbors Describe Marva Cutler as a Good Friend Who Helps Those Around Her
• Hit and Run Accident on Little Valley Road, Victim Life-Flighted

Email: mkessler@stgnews.com

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

The post Driver pleads guilty in Cutler hit-and-run case appeared first on St. George News | STGnews.com.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In advance of President Obama’s announcement on Tuesday that his administration will take unilateral measures regarding power plant emissions, Sen. Orrin Hatch, maintaining the measureswould lead to increased energy costs and fewer jobs across America, issued the following statement:

Let’s be clear about the consequences of what the president wants to do: Higher energy costs passed on to consumers across Utah and the country and fewer jobs at a time when three-quarters of the American people are living paycheck-to-paycheck.  That he can’t get a national energy tax through Congress shows how unpopular his plan is. Just this morning, it was reported that one of the president’s advisors is urging the president to wage a ‘war on coal.’ Energy is the fuel of our nation’s economic growth and after one of the longest periods of economic stagnation in modern history, it’s simply baffling that President Obama is proceeding with this unilateral energy policy that will hurt Americans struggling to pay their bills and get a job.

Following the announcement, Rep. Chris Stewart, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Environment, released the following statement:

The president’s announcement today makes clear that with his final election behind him, he is free to abandon his campaign promise to the nation of an ‘all of the above’ approach to meet our energy needs. And to what end? Even the president’s own EPA is on record stating that any U.S. carbon regulations will have little to no global effect due to accelerating growth of emissions overseas. Economists predict that these regulations will increase domestic energy prices and encourage manufactures to relocate overseas. This is unacceptable. Our nation is blessed with an abundance of affordable and reliable energy, yet the president has chosen to abandon these resources to appease a small group of radical environmentalists with American families footing the bill.

The president ran on a platform of protecting the middle class and working families. The proposed regulations are going to do the exact opposite—increasing costs and hurting the families who can least afford it.

Submitted by: The Offices of Utah Republicans Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Chris Stewart

Resources 

YouTube of Obama’s speech June 25, 2013

Email: news@stgnews.com

Twitter: @STGnews

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LAKE POWELL – The body of Jessica Jackman, 22, of South Jordan, the second person reported missing in connection with last week’s fatal boating accident, was located and retrieved at Lake Powell Tuesday.

Sgt. Alan Alldredge of the Kane County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that Jackman’s body was found at 11:40 a.m., in 350 feet of water and 23 feet away from the general area where the body of Valerie Bradshaw, 29, of Sandy was located Sunday evening.

Alldredge said the Summit County Sheriff’s Office dive team was requested Monday and joined the search for Jackman Tuesday morning. The dive team has a robotic dive unit similar to the one used by Lake Powell dive team which is currently waiting on repairs.

In a joint effort between the Utah Department of Public Safety’s Highway Patrol dive team, Summit County Search and Rescue, and the Lake Powell dive team, Jackman’s body was located fairly quickly.  The body will be transferred to the Kane County Medical Examiner who will continue the investigation.

Last week’s boating accident also claimed the life of Marilyn Jackman, 57, of South Jordan. Three others also sustained minor injuries, including Marilyn Jackman’s husband, Adrian Jackman, 59.

As the investigation continues, Alldredge said that it still appears that the motorboat driver, Adrian Jackman, became distracted by some of the children on the boat as he was traveling about 150 feet towards the houseboat. Although someone yelled ‘boat,’ he hit the front corner of the houseboat, causing the motorboat to flip over. Thirteen people were on the motorboat when it flipped. No one on the houseboat was injured.

The boats

The Jackman boat involved was a 23 foot Crownline Phantom 230. Alldredge said that the State Park Service is in possession of the boat, which is reported to have a hole in the side of it and may be totaled.

The houseboat that the Jackmans’ Crownline hit was a Lake Powell rental. It incurred “no real damage,” Alldredge said, “maybe a little bent railing on the front . If you didn’t know it’d been in a wreck you wouldn’t know it – you’d think it hit a sandbar.”

Unrelated drowning

Alldredge also said there was another possible drowning incident, not related to the boating accident, involving a 61-year-old man that occurred on Monday at 1 p.m. at Lake Powell near the entrance to Warm Creek Bay at buoy no. 12.  The man involved in the incident is still missing.

He said crews will now concentrate their efforts on locating the missing man.

St. George News Editor-in-Chief Joyce Kuzmanic contributed to this report.

Related:

• Divers find body, search continues for second at Lake Powell
• Utah DPS dive team joins in Lake Powell search
• UPDATE Names released in Lake Powell boating accident, search for missing women continues
• One dies, two missing, in Lake Powell boating accident

Email: mkessler@stgnews.com

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

The post Lake Powell: Second body found, boats described; new unrelated drowning incident appeared first on St. George News | STGnews.com.

ST. GEORGE - Early Tuesday afternoon a southbound, black pickup truck crossed opposing lanes and crashed into a tree on Dixie Drive.

The driver, in his late 20s, was alone with no passengers.

Officials on scene said the driver had serious leg injuries as a result of the collision, and was unconscious when police arrived. Medical responders were able to stabilize the driver, and then transport him to the hospital.

Although there is no evidence of the driver attempting to brake, factors such as speed, impairment, and other distractions are still under investigation.

“They’ve got to be paying attention,” Sgt. Craig Harding said. “Drivers can avoid hazards coming their way if they would pay attention. You’ve got to be paying attention to this kind of stuff.”

Any possible citation is pending further investigation.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

Pickup crosses opposing lanes and crashes into tree on Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Pickup crosses opposing lanes and crashes into tree on Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Pickup crosses opposing lanes and crashes into tree on Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Pickup crosses opposing lanes and crashes into tree on Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

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Email: ccaldwell@stgnews.com

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

Pickup crosses opposing lanes and crashes into tree on Dixie Drive, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

The post Dixie Drive accident: pickup truck meets tree appeared first on St. George News | STGnews.com.

ST. GEORGE - “The Voice” artists Ryan Innes, Amy Whitcomb and Midas Whale, along with backing band Fictionist, will blend their talents in a unique one-night-only performance at Dixie State University Friday night.

Ryan Innes, location and date unknown | Photo courtesy of Refinement Records

The concert will be held at the Cox Auditorium on the DSU campus at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for premium seats, $15 for regular seats and can be purchased online or by calling 435-652-7800.

“This concert offers an eclectic change in genres and amazing music,” tour producer and manager Sammy Schultz said. “We brought these artists to St. George because they have a lot of fans reaching out from here.”

Innes, Whitcomb and Midas Whale all participated in season four of NBC‘s “The Voice” reality talent competition and were eliminated in the knockout rounds, while Fictionist is signed to Atlantic Records. Though their time on the show was not as long as they would have liked, they gained massive exposure that has catapulted their careers to a new level, earning them devoted fans and the respect of fellow artists along the way.

“Fat and sassy” soul man Innes tried out for “The Voice” three times until his unique and passionate artistry, influenced by Boyz II Men, John Mayer, Ray LaMontagne, Marc Broussard and Ray Charles, caught the attention of the show’s coaches. His persistence was fueled by his love for what he does.

“Life showed me music was my true passion and I’d regret never giving it a shot,” Innes said. “To be a successful artist, music needs to be your passion and obsession in a very real way, with no room for Plan B.”

Innes said that he enjoyed getting to know the production staff, artists and coaches during his time on the show, though performing the soul classic “Ain’t No Sunshine” with R&B singer Orlando Dixon in the battle rounds was definitely the highlight.

“It’s a great platform for exposure for independent artists,” Innes said.

Currently, Innes is working with a management company based in New York City to develop his sound and record tracks that will eventually result in his debut album.

For Whitcomb, a self-described “rocker chick with a scream” who credits Aerosmith, Pink, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Kelly Clarkson as her main influences, it was actually another TV show that drove her to pursue a career in music. Watching the first season of “American Idol” as a teen, the overnight success of little-known artists on the reality competition inspired her to believe that she could realize her own dreams.

“I’ve always loved singing, but (it was then) I knew I wanted to be on stage as a career,” Whitcomb said.

Amy Whitcomb, location and date unknown | Photo courtesy of Refinement Records

While attending Brigham Young University, Whitcomb joined Noteworthy, an all-female a cappella group that appeared on NBC’s “The Sing-Off.” After three years with them, she joined the a cappella group Delilah. She decided to branch out on her own and audition for “The Voice” in 2012, landing a spot on Team Adam.

“I wanted a boost for my solo career and ‘The Voice’ really got me headed in the right direction,” Whitcomb said. “I definitely grew as a person, facing new challenges at new stages. I also met a ton of amazing people. I don’t think I would repeat the experience, but those things I wouldn’t trade for anything.”

Performing alongside other talented contestants and the “amazing” Paul Mirkovich and The Voice Band has made her a better musician, she said.

“They’re all incredible,” she said. “They made me step up my game.”

Whitcomb plans to continue touring and record an EP – extended play single –  in the near future. Many years down the road, her true ambition is to mentor talented youth on their voice, performance and strategy for breaking into the music business.

Folk-rock duo Midas Whale are Jon Peter Lewis and Ryan Hayes, who met in 2010 in their native Rexburg, Idaho. Lewis, a lifelong musician who was previously a contestant on season three of “American Idol” and Hayes, a geologist and hobbyist singer-songwriter, formed a nearly instant friendship that blossomed into a musical collaboration and eventual appearance on “The Voice.”

Midas Whale participated in an exclusive interview with St. George News | STGnews.com last week, during which they performed an original song and shared details of their experience on the show.

They describe their style as Simon and Garfunkel and Beatles-esque with a modern twist and unique melodies that set them apart from anything music fans can hear on radio today. The duo will soon begin working on recording and releasing a debut album in this vein.

“By being on ‘The Voice,’ however short our (stay) was, we got what we came for,” Lewis said.

These four artists are wanderers, influenced by a wide range of genres and locations, but all have roots in Utah. Innes and Whitcomb are graduates of BYU and well-known faces in the emerging Provo music scene, responsible for the launch of current chart-topping bands Neon Trees and Imagine Dragons. All are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and have performed at Sammy’s, Schultz’s restaurant, recording studio and musician haven in Salt Lake City.

Midas Whale, location and date unknown | Photo courtesy of Refinement Records

Schultz also serves as vice president of artist management for Refinement Records, a new Draper-based artist development company that is sponsoring the tour. The artists performed in Arizona, Idaho and northern Utah earlier this month and are eager to close out their trip with an unforgettable appearance in St. George.

“The show is going to be crazy good,” Hayes said. “It’s really high-energy. Plus we’re all songwriters, so you’re going to hear a lot of original material. You will want to be here.”

“You get the best of all music worlds here: Rock, folk, pop and soul,” Whitcomb said. “This concert is unique. (The artists) bring such a cool vibe and energy to the shows and it’s pretty exciting!”

Event flyer | Image courtesy of Refinement Records

Event details and contact information

Date: June 28

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Cox Auditorium, DSU campus

Admission: $20 premium seats, $15 regular seats

Contact: Dixie State University – 435-652-7994

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Midas Whale rides the wave from ‘The Voice’ to St. George; quirky folk-rock duo on STGnews Videocast exclusive

Utah contestants from ‘The Voice’ perform in St. George; concert tickets on sale now

Email: avmorgan@stgnews.com

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

Image courtesy of Refinement Records

The post Utah artists from ‘The Voice’ share experiences, ambitions; one-night show at Dixie State appeared first on St. George News | STGnews.com.

WASHINGTON CITY – Two separate power outages over the last three days left Washington City without electricity for short periods of time. St. George News readers residing in Washington City have asked what caused the outages, feeling left in the dark about the matter. Washington City officials were able to shed some light on the subject when inquiries were made.

Tuesday morning

The most recent outage occurred early Tuesday morning between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Washington City Manager Roger Carter said a metering transformer failed at the Staheli substation and knocked out electricity for city residents. He said the metering transformer was an aging piece of equipment, approximately 25 years old, and finally died.

While power was knocked out for Washington City residents, Hurricane City Power reported via Twitter that power fluctuations – lights flickering – were experienced in Hurricane around 5:30 a.m., and that it was connected to the substation failure.

Carter said power was rerouted through other substations, ultimately restoring power to the city soon after the outage occurred. The electrical load handled by the Staheli substation is relatively small, he said, so there should be no impact on overall electrical power as it remains shut off until a replacement metering transformer is found.

Increasing summer temperatures were not considered to play a factor in the metering transformer’s failure.

Sunday morning

The other power outage happened shortly after 2 a.m., Sunday. A Washington City Power representative told St. George News that a power line had gone down, causing it to ground. The incident reset the whole city like a giant circuit breaker.

Washington City Power reported that power was restored by about 4:30 a.m. Some residents have indicated power wasn’t restored to their homes until 5 a.m. or shortly thereafter.

Aside from the temporary loss of power, Carter said both incidents were completely unrelated.

Resources

• Washington City Power

Email: mkessler@stgnews.com

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

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ST. GEORGE — Utah Jazz star DeMarre Carroll entertained young fans Tuesday night at the St. George Recreation Center as part of the franchise’s yearly outreach visits to communities in Utah and Idaho.

Carroll a native of Birmingham, Ala., arrived was at ease in purple Jazz shorts and a Utah Jazz t-shirt as he joked with kids and talked about the game of basketball.

The informal clinic, which lasted about an hour, had Carroll and a Utah Jazz media relations man organize the youths into teams for various games and then a question and answer period.

St. George News photographer Chris Caldwell was there to capture the event.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery. 

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Utah Jazz forward DeMarre Carroll entertained the crowd and conducted a clinic Tuesday evening at the St. George Recreation Center, St. George, Utah, June 25, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News

Email: sports@stgnews.com

Twitter: @oldschoolag

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

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OPINION – When I was told that the definitive account of the Mountain Meadows Massacre had been penned by a Mormon from St. George, I rolled my eyes. I wondered how the horrific event would be told by a woman invested in Mormonism.

Juanita Brooks outright shatters the perception that the Mormon culture is one of revisionist history, one that seeks to hide or rewrite the history of its origin and what took place in its accession to acceptance in American culture. At least as to this event in history.

A mid-20th century school teacher, historian and devout Mormon, Brooks loved her faith and the truth so much that she was, I would assert, compelled to do nary otherwise but expose the truth of that senseless day in our past, and tell the events that led to it.

She was shunned by the very people she loved, the church and the community, for what can now be seen, through the lens of hindsight, as a tremendous and valiant act of courage. Brooks was a woman in a culture and a church that disparaged outspoken women, telling the truth about a senseless act of cowardice and homicide upon a mass of innocent people.

The benefit of hindsight always reveals it is better to own our misgivings and that covering them up or denying them imbeds an impurity among us that if not removed will make us collectively ill; it festers and eventually becomes infectiously destructive to the health of our community.

Today, Brooks is revered as a maverick for not only being a whistle blower, but for recognizing that the credibility of her beloved faith was tarnished by the shameless way its people had conducted themselves.

She knew that by telling the truth, it would free her church from condemnation and place the burden of forgiveness upon those who could now at last have closure and peace.

Riding the Edge: The Juanita Brooks Story – documentary film project

Dixie State University student Matt Black is so impassioned by the story of this woman’s life that he is the driving force behind a project being proposed by the school’s film production department: the production of a documentary about Brooks’ life.

Phil Tuckett, the program’s director, is a maverick himself in every sense of the word and is likewise impassioned by the story.

The project can be found on Kickstarter at Riding The Edge: The Juanita Brooks Story, where money is being raised to fund the project.

A fundraiser and carnival will be held tomorrow at the St. George Town Square from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and all are invited, no, encouraged to attend.

column piece continues below

In addition to having the potential to tell an incredible story of the life of a true Mormon, and a true patriot who through the power of subtle forbearance and conviction succeeded in restoring some people’s faith in this community, mine included, the project will also offer an opportunity for the students of DSU’s film department to attain real hands-on experience in the making of a film that makes a difference.

I would have liked to have met this woman. In fact, I was so struck by her that I have visited her grave.

See you out there.

Resources and recap

Kickstarter fundraising for the film project: Riding The Edge: The Juanita Brooks Story

St. George carnival fundraiser for the project: June 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. St. George Town Square

Ed. note: Dallas Hyland was a student in a digital film pre-production class when Tuckett first introduced the Juanita Brooks film project to DSU, and the class contributed to the production of the trailer included in this article.

Dallas Hyland is an opinion columnist. The opinions stated in this article are his and not representative of St. George News.

Email: dhyland@stgnews.com

Twitter: @dallashyland

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

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ST. GEORGE –The Utah Stealth own the RMFL championship trophy and, make no mistake, the Dixie Rebels want it back.

Saturday the Dixie Rebels will host the Utah Stealth for the championship of the Rocky Mountain Football League. The teams will meet at Walt Brooks Stadium at 7 p.m. It’s a match-up between the past two champions. The Stealth were crowned champions last year, snapping a two-year championship run by the Rebels.

The Rebels were expected to be in the championship game, defeating the lower-seeded Wasatch Revolution 28-3 this past Saturday. The Stealth upset the higher-seeded Utah Shock last week to advance.

The Rebels appear not to be taking the Stealth lightly, however.

“The Stealth is much better than their record indicates,” said Rebel coach Andy Stokes. “They started the year out slowly and barely squeaked into the playoffs. But they appear to be gelling at the right time.”

“We have not been healthy all year,” said Jason Hermansen, Stealth public relations director. “This past week (against the Shock) was the first time that we had our entire starting offensive and defensive lines healthy enough to play. If you look at our season, we have been competitive in every game. A couple of bounces in our direction, we could have won 3-4 more games.”

In two previous meetings this season, the Rebels beat the Stealth on their home field, 21-10, and were also victorious at Walt Brooks Stadium, beating the Stealth 28-16.

“The scores are not indicative on how the games played out,” Stokes said. “At their place we were down 10-0 going into the fourth quarter. We stepped up, had some bounces go our way and were able to get out of there with a win.”

In the second game, the Stealth could only travel with 18 players.

Wasatch at Dixie, St. George, Utah, April 27, 2013 | Photo by Dave Amodt, St. George News

“We will have a few more players this weekend,” Hermansen said. “This is the game everybody wants to see. We expected to play them in last year’s championship. Statistically, these are the top two teams and the teams that should be playing for the championship.”

The Stealth offense is led by the QB/WR duo of Steve Vincent and Sam Thomas. Thomas leads the league in receiving by 13 receptions and over 500 yards over the nearest receiver.

“Thomas is a tough cover,” said Rebels coach Wayne Alofipo. “He does the short, medium and long routes all very well.”

The Stealth defense is led by LB Justin Walker, who leads the league in tackles for loss.

“He is big and fast, and they utilize him well in the blitz.” said Olafipo.

The Rebel passing attack is led by QB Chad Draper. Draper has several weapons at his disposal. Wide receivers Tanner Wood and Brennan Adams and slotback Justin Cummings are among the league leaders in catches and yardage. Balanced by the league-leading running attack of Sione Tapuosi and Chase Loveridge, the offense led the league in scoring.

“Our offenses are pretty similar, both statistically and variability of attack.” said Hermansen. “Both offenses are capable of big games in the air or on the ground.”

The Rebel defense shut down the Wasatch Revolution in the semifinal game, holding them to a field goal.

“Our defense had their best game of the season,” said Stokes. “They shut down a very good offensive team. The Stealth offense will be a good match-up for them. I expect their outstanding play will carry over from last week. “

Prior to the game, from 6 to 7 p.m., Abby Doman, a young local girl who received a heart transplant and has been a cause taken up by the Dixie Rebels, will participate in a book signing at the stadium, outlining her story.

Email: sports@stgnews.com

Twitter: @oldschoolag

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

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GRAND CANYON  NATIONAL PARK - Following a series of breaks in the Trans-Canyon Water Pipeline, Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon National Park is experiencing a water shortage. Visitors hiking to Phantom Ranch must be self-sufficient and be prepared to carry or treat all drinking water.

After consulting with the National Park Service, Xanterra South Rim LLC has temporarily suspended its Phantom Ranch overnight accommodations and services.

All park trails remain open. However, the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning between 10 a.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Sunday, with temperatures reaching 114-117 degrees within the park along the Colorado River. The NPS encourages all hikers to be prepared and act responsibly; hiking tips can be found here.

The NPS expects pipeline repairs to be completed, allowing normal Phantom Ranch operations to resume as early as Saturday. Visitors should call the park’s automated information hotline for updates at 928-638-7688.

All other park operations remain normal. Visitors planning a trip to Phantom Ranch in the next several days may also contact the park’s Backcountry Information Center at 928-638-7875 or Xanterra South Rim LLC at 928-638-2631.

Submitted by: Grand Canyon National Park

Email: news@stgnews.com

Twitter: @STGnews

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ST. GEORGE – A truck crashed through a brick wall near the intersection of Hidden Valley Drive and Price Hills Drive in St. George Thursday night leaving all involved shaken, yet without serious injury.

St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain said a late model pickup truck was traveling on Hidden Valley Drive when the driver somehow became distracted, causing the truck to crash into a brick wall on the south side of the road. The crash was reported to the St. George Communications Center at 11:45 p.m.

Despain said there were four occupants in the truck including the driver, all of whom he described as teens. While they were shaken up by the crash and sustained some cuts and bruises, he said none of them required transport to the hospital.

Speed is considered to be one of the factors involved in the crash, Despain said. He was unable to confirm the nature of distraction that led to the truck turning into a last-minute bulldozer.

The truck was totaled and had to be towed from the location. No other vehicles were involved in the incident and there were no corollary injuries to anyone.

Gap left in a wall on Hidden Valley Drive near Price Hills Drive after a truck plowed though it, St. George, Utah, June 28, 2013 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Gap left in a wall on Hidden Valley Drive near Price Hills Drive after a truck plowed though it, St. George, Utah, June 28, 2013 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Gap left in a wall on Hidden Valley Drive near Price Hills Drive after a truck plowed though it, St. George, Utah, June 28, 2013 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Email: mkessler@stgnews.com

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

Gap left in a wall on Hidden Valley Drive near Price Hills Drive after a truck plowed though it, St. George, Utah, June 28, 2013 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

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ST. GEORGE – An Apple Valley man was arrested Thursday in connection with an assault and robbery at Firehouse Park reported earlier that day.

Michael Wintch | Photo courtesy of the St. George Police Department

At approximately 1 p.m., Thursday, the St. George Communications Center received a call of an assault around the 1900 West block of 1600 North, St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain said in statement. Officers responded to the scene but were unable to locate anyone involved in the incident.

By around 3 p.m., the dispatch center received another 911 call from a victim who stated he had been assaulted near the Firehouse Park at 1800 North Dixie Downs Road. Officers met with the victim and determined he had been involved in the alleged assault reported two hours earlier to dispatch.

The victim in this case reported being allegedly assaulted by a Michael Kenneth Wintch, 35, of Apple Valley. The victim claims Wintch brandished a knife during the assault.

Wintch is alleged to have taken the victim’s cell phone during the incident. The victim was not seriously injured as a result of this assault.

Despain said the victim and the suspect in this case are acquainted.

St George Police Detectives made contact with Wintch and questioned him regarding the alleged assault.  Following the questing he was arrested and taken to Purgatory Correctional Facility.

Wintch has been charged with first-degree felony aggravated robbery, third-degree felony aggravated and a class A misdemeanor weapons offense.  Wintch made his first appearance in court on Friday.

Ed. Note: Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Email: mkessler@stgnews.com

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

Image by Brett Barrett, St. George News

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Washington, Utah – Ronald Metcalf

Ronald Roy Metcalf, 63 years old, passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2013, in St. George, UT after a courageous battle with leukemia.

He was born November 13, 1949, in Culver City, Calif., to Edgar and  Hazel (Young) Metcalf.

Ron married Janie Vanderberg in 1986 and they were married 26 years.

He was raised in Burbank, Calif. and worked 30 years in the Motion Picture Industry as a studio driver, retiring in 2004. In 1996 he, his wife and son moved to So. Utah. Ron loved God, his family, friends and his church family. “Big Ron” loved to greet everyone as they came to worship on Sunday morning.  He was a big man with a big heart.

Ron is survived by wife Janie of St. George, Utah, son Senior Airman Garon Metcalf USAF, daughter-in-law Melba Metcalf, grandson Lincoln Ronald Metcalf, Okinawa, Japan, brother Gary Metcalf, Nampa, ID. mother-in-law Peggy Vanderberg, Grand Junction, Colo.

A memorial service and celebration of Ron’s life will be held Saturday, June 29th, 1:00 p.m. at SMMC Springs Church, 291 E 1400 S #4, St. George, UT, 84790.

Arrangements are made under direction of Heideman Hughes Mortuary in St. George, (435) 674-5000.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SMCC Springs Church -Youth Group, 291 E 1400 S #4, St. George, UT, 84790.  Ron received great joy being able to help support the youth activities and give kids a chance to go to camp.

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John Thomas McFarlin on the grounds of the Nevada State Capitol, Summer 2009

John Thomas McFarlin (August 4, 1942 – June 25, 2013)

John Thomas McFarlin, age 70, died June 25, 2013, at home in Mesquite, Nevada.

He was born August 5, 1942, in Bell, California to John Leslie and Anne Louise
Holg McFarlin. On September 3, 1965, he married Dorothy Elida Hank in Huntington
Park, California. They had one daughter and were later divorced.

John grew up in Maywood, California. He served as a medic in the US Army from
1961 – 1963 in Bad Kreuznach, Germany and briefly in Vietnam. After his military
service, he worked as a canmaker in California. He lived in Northern California
for 17 years before raising his daughter in Riverside, California. He moved to
Mesquite in 2006 and served as a respite volunteeer with Virgin Valley Home Care
and Hospice. He enjoyed playing his slot machine at home.

Survivors include his companion, Kathy Kennedy of Mesquite, NV and one
daughter, Tracie (Brandon) Parry of Salt Lake City, UT.

John will be buried in Williams, Indiana.

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ST. GEORGE — Stevens Henager College, CollegeAmerica, and California College San Diego launched the Good Neighbor Initiative in 2011 to help make today’s work force ready for tomorrow’s opportunities by helping people gain their General Education Development certificate for high school equivalency.

The Good Neighbor Initiative is celebrating its one year anniversary. It is a community outreach service founded by the Center for Excellence in Higher Education, a nonprofit corporation that purposes to improve higher education.

Many colleges and universities have been unable or unwilling to provide financial assistance to prospective students to help them obtain their GED certificate; either a high school diploma or a GED certificate is a basic requirement of admission to most colleges and universities. The reason many schools have been unable or unwilling to provide financial assistance to those seeking their GED is that it appears to create a self-serving incentive for prospective students seeking higher education to enroll in their institution once they have completed the GED exam. Creating such incentives has been viewed unethical by the federal government in recent years.

To some in need of their GED certificate, $120 is expensive, the average cost of the GED exam. The Good Neighbor Initiative offers a way around that cost, and while it only works with Stevens Henager College, CollegeAmerica, and California College San Diego, it is separate from the admissions process within these institutions.

The accrediting body for Stevens Henager, CollegeAmerica, and California College San Diego is the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, which provides accreditation to non-university post-secondary colleges that mainly provide training for occupational, trade and technical careers. Stevens Henager recently shifted to this from a for-profit institution.

In its first year, the Good Neighbor Initiative helped 6,400 Utah residents by offering free education courses, GED prep classes and by covering the cost of the GED exam because Good Neighbor Initiative states that individuals with a GED credential have higher incomes and are more likely to get involved in the community and economy.

The Good Neighbor Initiative is offered in St. George  via Stevens Henager College. Greg Stanfield, Dean of Education at Stevens Henager College in St. George, explains the process for people interested in obtaining their GED.

“They come in through our campus, meet with a receptionist, fill out paperwork, we find out where they’re at in their GED preparation,” Stanfield said. “We do an overview with them of what we do for our GED prep course.”

The next step in the process is to meet with Brandon Turley, GED coordinator Stevens Henager, to get pre-screened via an exam to see where the potential student needs the most help. “Brandon will let them know their score and tutor them Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.” Stanfield said. “He has a variety of reviews and hands-on concepts to help them.”

“We’ve found math is the most difficult,” Stanfield said. “Once the student is ready to take the GED exam they are given a voucher for Dixie State.”

The Good Neighbor Initiative program began in Stevens Henager College in August 2011 and since that time “240 have passed the GED test through our classes,” Stanfield said, “and we’ve had a 95 percent pass rate.”

According to the National Commission on Adult Literacy, each year more than one million Americans drop out of high school. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2014, 80 percent of the fastest-growing jobs will require education or training beyond the high school level.

Of the Stevens Henager Colleges in Utah, Stanfield said, “We have one of the highest success rates in St. George so there is a need in our community. The demand is there.”

Stanfield said it’s a positive way to provide community service and give back. “It changes lives,” Stanfield said. “We like to build dreams for people. For whatever reason they didn’t finish high school it won’t hold them back. We have a variety of people of various ages from 18 to their late 60s.”

Stanfield said that many students who pass the GED exam go on for higher education, and many do return to Stevens Henager. Stanfield said, “We provide the service without pressure to attend our school. Many have gone to the U of U, and Utah State, but if they have questions about the college afterward we provide that information, but the main focus is to get them a GED.”

Regarding the GED exam prompting people to gain higher education, Stanfield said, “You never know what it’s going to spark in a person’s life.”

According to reports studying economic outcomes for GED credential recipients by the General Educational Development Testing Service of the American Council on Education, people who have a high school diploma or GED credential are much more likely to be employed full time, and earn more than those without a high school diploma. They are also more likely to live healthier lives, make greater contributions to their economies and communities.

 Resources

Stevens Henager College in St. George: 720 South River Road, Stuie C-130 / Telephone 435-628-9150 /  website 

Center for Excellence in Higher Education website

Email: sisaacson@stgnews.com

Twitter: @sarahisaacson1

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

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ST. GEORGE – The Washington County Drug Task Force arrested six people on various drug-related charges over the past week.  On Thursday, four people were arrested by the task force for intent to distribute meth after a traffic stop led to a drug bust. On Wednesday two search warrants executed at a local smoke shop resulted in the arrest of the shop’s owner for spice. Monday also yielded a drug-related arrest.

Court documents did not connect any of the arrests to the eight arrests that took place in Washington County Wednesday as part of Operation Spice Trash, Utah’s portion of a national spice distribution crackdown.

Four busted for intent to distribute

On Thursday, detectives with the county drug task force pulled over a silver Ford F-150 with three occupants – the driver, Amber Turney, 23, of St. George, and two passengers, Josh Samson, 24, of St. George, and Josh Blake, 18, of Ivins. Blake was determined to have several active warrants out for his arrest.

According to court documents, the detectives approached the vehicle and had the occupants roll down all of the windows of the truck. When the rear windows were open, detectives “could smell the order of burnt marijuana.” The detectives also observed possible drug paraphernalia in the truck’s cab.

One of the detectives then asked Blake if he was Josh Blake. Blake first denied he was then responded affirmatively. He was asked to step out of the truck and advised of the warrants out for his arrest. Turney was also asked to exit the vehicle. According to documentation, Turney was discovered to have alleged drug paraphernalia on her person.

A search of the vehicle turned up a “distributable amount” of methamphetamine kept in a plastic Jack-in-the-Box cup that was located on the floor of the cab next to where Blake had been sitting. A leafy substance suspected to be marijuana was also discovered.

After the search and being read their rights, Turney, Samson and Blake each admitted to smoking marijuana in the truck.  Turney also said she knew about the meth kept in the cup by Blake, and that she had driven him to Las Vegas and back with it. Blake, who also said Turney and Samson knew what he was transporting, also said he was bringing the meth back to St. George to hand off to his partner, Tyler Oliphant, 20, of Santa Clara, with the purpose of selling it to others.

A meeting was then arranged between Blake and Oliphant. Oliphant was taken into custody and read his rights and told detectives he and Blake were partners in distributing meth, and that Blake had used his connection in Las Vegas to acquire the drug.

Both men were arrested and have been charged with second-degree felony intent to distribute narcotics. Blake has also been charged with drug and warrant-related misdemeanors.

Samson and Turney were charged with second-degree felony intent to distribute narcotics, as well as a number of drug-related class B misdemeanors.

Smoke shop owner arrested for spice distribution

Earrings and More Smoke Shop was the site of two search warrants executed by the Washington County Drug Task Force Wednesday. According to court documents, the owner of the shop, Susan Russell, 61, of St. George, was found to be in possession of several packets of “zero gravity.” Packets of the substance had previously been part of a “controlled purchase” and had been sent to the Utah Crime Lab for testing. Test results determined the substance to be illegal.

Russell told a member of the task force that she had owned the smoke shop for 15 years and had been previously investigated and asked about spice. She said the “zero gravity” she sold was not spice, but potpourri only. She said she had no knowledge of people buying the packets in order to smoke their contents.  She also produced a document that she alleged was a lab test showing that the substance she sold was legal under Utah law.

Russell was arrested on a count of third-degree felony possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Search warrant yields drug arrest

A search warrant was executed at a home in St. George Monday where it was believed marijuana was being sold. The task force found a total of six people at the home and detained them. While searching the home, a safe was found in one of the bedrooms. According to a court document, Devry Laing, 27, was identified as the primary resident of the home.

Laing was read his rights and asked what was in the safe. He told a task force member the safe contained some cannabis/marijuana and hashish.  Two jars and a medicine bottle containing these substances were found in the safe once it was open. Drug paraphernalia was also found during the search.

Laing was charged with third-degree felony drug possession and a class A and a class B misdemeanor for drug possession and drug paraphernalia.

Ed. Note: Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Email: mkessler@stgnews.com

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

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IRON COUNTY – A 150-acre brush fire sparked by lightning at 3:07 p.m., Friday, is currently burning 20 miles north of Cedar City. Called the “Gap Fire,” various agencies have been dispatched to the fight the fire. The blaze is currently 10 percent contained with air tankers and ground resources making good progress thus far. Approximately 60 people are presently assigned to the fire.

Fire behavior is described as actively running and creeping, with moderate fire behavior observed Friday. Fuels consumed by the fire include pinyon and juniper trees, cheatgrass and brush.

Currently no structures are threatened, no road closures have been issued, no evacuation orders have been given, and no injuries have been reported.

Email: mkessler@stgnews.com

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, StGeorgeUtah.com Inc., 2013, all rights reserved.

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