ABC 4: Blogs

Robert Maxwell: Turn It Down

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:12:00 GMT

We’ve had a LOUD past few weeks in the Salt Lake Valley:

Oct 22nd – Domestic Propane Explosion: Two weeks ago, a rural Cache County home was obliterated when a series of midmorning PROPANE EXPLOSIONS shook the countryside south of Logan. A grown brother and sister escaped with their lives.

Oct 22nd – Bombs Away: Later that same Thursday, an F-16 pilot discovered his jet had a mechanical problem after takeoff. Before landing safely, he jettisoned two, 500-POUND BOMBS at Hill A.F.B. One unexpectedly blew up on impact destroying a storage shed at the north end of the facility. The thundering boom briefly knocked out power at the base and shook homes and businesses in Roy less than a mile away.

Oct 24th – Controlled Ordinance Disposal: Two days later, crews oversaw the CONTROLLED EXPLOSION OF THE SECOND BOMB that ended up buried 17 feet underground. This time, local residents had ample warning of the blast since the highly visual operation captured wide media attention.

Nov 4th -- Refinery Blast: Then, this past Wednesday morning, the quiet of suburban Woods Cross was shattered with the Silver Eagle REFINERY EXPLOSION. Authorities say a hydrogen-diesel mix leaked from a pipe and somehow ignited. The staggeringly loud boom and shockwave were heard and felt for miles. At least one house next to the sprawling refinery was shifted off its foundations, others badly damaged. Lives were altered, yet somehow, no one died.

This list of course doesn’t include the “usual” litany of car crashes, reports of shots fired and alarm clocks going off at unexpected times due to the time change.

I hope the rest of the month leading up to Thanksgiving is just a little quieter.

Brian Carlson: Always two sides to every story

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:54:15 GMT

Today I reported on the documents showing the TSA security workers side the story about the incident involving Rep. Jason Chaffetz at the Salt Lake Int'l Airport. I now have a different personal opinion that when I reported it originally.

If you're unfamiliar with the story, Chaffetz said he was the victim of some good ol' fashioned bullying courtesy of airport security workers. (See "Documents released on Rep. Chaffetz airport security inicident")

I remember when I first heard this story, I believed Chaffetz 100%, but after reading the eight different handwritten accounts from security workers, my opinion has changed.

Chaffetz said when he told them he was a member of Congress, they replied "We know you are." It makes it sound like they singled him out as he claimed. They may have, I wasn't there, but when you put the phrase in context, it doesn't sound as bad.

If the two security workers accounts are true, Chaffetz said "Do you know who I am?" The worker said "No." Chaffetz then told them he was a Congressman. Then he asked them to give their supervisor his card, they replied... "They know who you are." Whether the security worker said "we" or "they" does make a difference, but when you put the whole conversation together it has less of a bite than when Chaffetz said it first.

It's still completely possible Chaffetz was bullied, but reading accounts both sides i now believe both sides acted inappropriately. Again, if the security accounts are true, Chaffetz swore at the workers, and they laughed at him, and there are other examples as well, but overall it's a good reminder to me that there are always two sides to every story. That's why it's so important as a journalist not to jump on the bandwagon when you're reporting a story.  You have to talk to both sides, and find trusted sources. Unless you were there, and you saw it yourself, you have to do your best to gather as many facts as possible. Only then will you find out what truly happened.

This Week's "On the Record"

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:39:20 GMT

Even though Utah's 2009 election is now history, we still wanted a little
bit more analysis and context.

So, we enlisted one of the state's top politicos.

Salt Lake County Councilman Randy Horiuchi tells us who and what surprised
him and gives us some glimpses into the 2010 races.

It's all coming up on this week's "On the Record."

This Emmy nominated program airs Sunday morning at eight, right here
on ABC 4.

Dana Greene - A fresh start at QB

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:27:00 GMT

You have to feel at least a little sorry for Terrance Cain. Afterall, all the guy did in his first full season as a D-1 quarterback was compile a 7-1 record, complete 64 percent of his passes, average 203 yards passing per game, and throw 11 touchdowns. I guess that's enough to get benched.

No official announcement has been made yet, but with Wynn taking most of the snaps with the first team offense this week, it sure looks like Wynn is going to get the call. Granted, Jordan Wynn may have more talent, and he gives the Utes a better chance to win the future, but is this the best time to make a change?

Wynn will have one tune-up game against lowly New Mexico this Saturday at Rice-Eccles stadium, before being fed to the wolves at 6th-ranked TCU. Not that many quarterbacks in the nation would fare well against the Horned Frogs defense, but a true freshman making just his second career start? That could get ugly in a hurry.

With the kind of pressure the TCU defense can put on an offense, it would certainly be better to have a mobile quarterback that can get out of the pocket. Cain has proven to have that ability, even though he has taken too many sacks this season. Wynn, on the other hand, was busy getting ready for his high school prom just six months ago. He's never played in a hostile environment like he'll face in Fort Worth, but he'll be expected to make the same kind of decisions 5th-year senior quarterback Brian Johnson made last year.

Head coach Kyle Whittingham says he expects Cain to have the same positive and supportive attitude Wynn had when Cain was starting. But Cain might want to stay loose.

Wesley Ruff - Money can't buy happiness..but it can buy titles

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:22:09 GMT

So, the New York Yankees are the world champions. Any one out there surprised? They spent money, and are now reaping the rewards of their deep pockets.

They say money can't buy happiness, but apparently it can buy titles. They spent the most money, and they have the most to show for it. 27 titles to be exact.

I'm not a Yankee fan, but I do like some of the players on the team. I just don't like the way they work.

Now if we could get it to work for the Utah Jazz with their high-priced roster...

Toys For Tots Kicks Off

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:33:00 GMT

The Marine Corps Toys for Tots program is officially underway. And this year the Marines in the Salt Lake area hope to collect enough toys to help out up to 20,000 children. The program kicked off as Marines stood guard so to speak at collection stands inside area Toys R Us stores. Sgt. Charlie Sandness told me the Marines “are aiming to gather 15 to 20,000 toys.” And Sgt. Juan Cuevaz said he is “excited to do this for the kids.” When I asked if they would reach their goals he simply said, “We will succeed.”

ABC 4 is the media sponsor for the Toys for Tots campaign in the Salt Lake area and during the coming weeks you can

TODD GROSS: Ski Area Openings, Real or Fake?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:53:58 GMT

After Solitude did a grand show by opening for a Halloween
ski last weekend, the official dates look pretty much where I'd
expect with a few comments below:

Alta - November 20th. That will be easy

Beaver - To Be Announced (makes sense, lower elevation)

Brian Head - Nov. 21st - Odd, they had 40" of snow!

Brighton - Nov. 16th That will be easy

The Canyons - Nov. 27th On target

Deer Valley Resort - Dec. 5th. (why dont they ever shoot for Thanksgiving?)

Park City - Nov. 21st. Depends on the snow late next week and the following

Powder Mountain - Nov. 28th Makes sense

Snowbasin - Nov. 26th Makes sense

Solitude - Nov. 6th - That will be limited I'm sure

Sundance , Dec. 11th. - They have a base just over 6,000 feet, so Robert
Redford and gang thought that through

Wolf Creek - To Be announced (makes sense, lower elevation)

There you have it, the proposed opening dates this year!

Todd

Robert Maxwell: Big Rig-amarole

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:37:00 GMT

I promised to keep you in the loop concerning my move -- more accurately, the move of my worldly belongings from Florida to Utah. At the moment, they’re not moving anywhere. Turns out, the moving truck gave up the ghost near Kansas City, MO and is being repaired.
“I’ve got a four thousand dollar bill,” the moving company dispatcher complained to me when he returned my call inquiring about the status of the move. For a second I thought he was referring to a bill that he would be sending to me… It was actually the repair bill to get the “turbo, or turbine” (it was a bad phone connection) fixed.
Any impatience I was planning to unload on him after two weeks’ worth of delays dissolved when I heard his sorry tale, his defeated tone of voice. Do I believe him? Well, my journalistic nature is cynical, but hey what’s the point in questioning a guy with an allegedly busted rig, a crew stuck in the Midwest and a fat repair bill? The dispatcher did reassure me while the truck engine was being repaired, the trailer was tucked safely away in a locked storage yard.
The 18-wheeler (and my bed, my ironing board and my beloved mountain bike!) is due in Salt Lake before the weekend if the old semi can make the 600-odd miles. At least it’s supposed to be good driving weather.

Kent Rupe: Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:20:37 GMT

After three straight weeks of 1-5, I'm changing my philosophy for this week's pick-6. I hesitate to explain how exactly, in case it actually works. So, here goes:

Utah State (-2) at Hawaii: The Aggies have been good to me the last 2 weeks so I'm stickin' with 'em. A little Oahu vacation in the middle of football season might be just what the doctor ordered for Gary Andersen's bunch. I say take Utah State and give the points in a 27-20 Aggie victory.

#6 TCU (-24.5) at San Diego State: While the Aztecs seem to be improving under first-year head coach Brady Hoke, the Horned Frogs have steamrolled their way to an 8-0 record and a number-4 ranking in this week's coach's poll (#6 in the BCS standings). Look for TCU to keep it going with another big win heading into the Utah game the following week, 38-10 Frogs.

Colorado State at UNLV (-1): The Rams are, in my opinion, the biggest surprise in the Mountain West Conference so far this season, and not in a good way. Both these teams are 3-6 overall, but Colorado State is on a 6-game losing streak. That streak comes to an end this weekend in Sin City. CSU over the Rebels, 23-17.

BYU (-13) at Wyoming: The Cougars, thanks to a bye week, got some extra time to think about the loss to TCU ... and to get ready for this week's game in Laramie. Believe me when I tell you, it's no fun to go to Laramie any time of year, especially in November, which is why the Cowboys will keep it close. I'm taking Wyoming and the points, 28-17 BYU.

New Mexico at #14 Utah (-27.5): Will Jordan Wynn help the Ute offense get untracked? Will the Lobos be able to move the ball against a pretty stout Utah defense? Will New Mexico win a game this season? For the answers to these questions, be at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday the 7th. My trusty crystal ball says Utah shows no mercy this week, 41-9.

#16 Ohio State at #11 Penn State (-3.5): In addition to the Big 10 title implications (no, I haven't forgotten about Iowa), this game also serves as an elimination game for BCS bowl game consideration. The coin I just flipped came up tails which means the Buckeyes head back to Columbus with their tails between their legs. I'm going with Joe (Paterno) and giving the three-and-a-half, 22-16 Penn State.

Karen Carlson - It’s November, but it’s always Halloween in Scott’s office.

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:22:07 GMT

I’m a little too old to be trick-or-treating, but I don’t think I’ll ever be too old to ask for free candy. And lucky for me, I don’t have to.

We have a really great office here.. and I’m not just saying that because my bosses will be reading this blog. (p.s. I could still use an office!) Because work is really about the people, as far as I’m concerned, and I can honestly say we work in a Jerk-Free Zone. And what makes it sweeter, other than the obvious pay and benefits, is the candy.

Scott, our web director, always has a little candy dish out on his desk.. what I assume is his way to lure people into his office to say hello. I must admit, it works. But as I dug deeper, I discovered a lot of the supply was making its way across the hall from one of the Good Things Utah producers, Roxy. Her desk is always like a party.

And then, there’s always candy at our director Trista’s desk. Sometimes, even chocolate.

So though Halloween may be over, all I have to do is show up and ask… so far, I haven’t had to say “trick or treat”… I guess the trick comes when I get my bill from the dentist.. but until, I’ll just enjoy the treat.