Wasatch Front News

U's Medical School in need of body donors

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:33:20 -0600

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - 175 people gave their bodies to science and education at the University of Utah last year and on Friday the University’s School of Medicine held a memorial service to honor those body donors and their families.

Val Argyle's dad is one of those being remembered for his decision to donate his body.

“We were a little uncomfortable with it,” said Argyle. “He didn't like funerals, turned out being a favor for the family to do this, we’re so glad he did.”

The donated bodies help medical students learn about anatomy and researchers make medical discoveries.

“It is absolutely, so, so important for us,” said Vivian Lee, Dean of the Medical School. “The ability for our students to learn real anatomy and disease from real individuals, real patients and people is absolutely critical to our education.”

The U's body donor program has been around since the early 1940s, but this year the need for cadavers is greater than ever. The School of Medicine is expanding-- adding more students who'll use up more resources.

“We're going from 82 students to 102 this fall, plus another 20 dental students and in a couple more years we'll be even bigger on the medical school side so we have a desperate need for more individuals to donate their body and we're very grateful,” said Lee.

After getting over the initial shock, Argyle realized his dad's decision to donate his body just made sense.

Now he's considering the same for himself when the time comes. “It's a small way to give back and I won’t care.”

Teen moms get diplomas at Horizonte

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:30:46 -0600

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - It's that time of year when teens across Utah are getting ready to sport a cap and gown and accept their diplomas.

When it comes to graduating high school some of those teens faces more challenges than others. Such as Candelaria Angeles whose life changed forever when she became a mom at 16.

“It was scary at first,” she said.

Her classmate Yesenia Martinez found herself in the same scary situation in the middle of high school and pregnant.

“I was 15 when I got pregnant and had her at 16,” she said. “It was kind of hard and kind of scary too having a baby that's like really hard.”

Especially hard would be balancing being a young mom and finishing school. Only half of teen moms in Utah get their diploma, according to ChildTrends.org.

But this year, 10 teen moms at Hortizonte High School are beating the odds and graduating.
Angeles and Martinez are even do so a year early.

“Thanks to Horizonte, the teachers and everybody has been helping me to get my credits up and I’m going to graduate early,” said Martinez.

The girls say they wouldn't have been able to do it without Horizonte's parental support programs and on-site daycare. The principal tells ABC 4’s Kim Johnson it hasn't always been this way for teen mothers in Utah.

“My mother was a young parent and these resources were never available to her,” said Mindi Holmdahl, principal. “Had these resources, parenting classes, day care classes, support to focus on education so she could provide for her kids, had that been there she definitely would have taken advantage of it.”

On Thursday, the Soroptimists of Salt Lake, who bring in motivational speakers for the teen moms, gave them a special graduation ceremony.

The teens say the support has made all the difference, but the real motivation is what they go home to at night.

“In order to provide support for my son, he is my motivation if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be able to graduate,” said Angeles.

After graduating, both teens plan to go to college to become nurses.

Matthew Stewart found dead in jail cell

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:26:43 -0600

OGDEN Utah (ABC 4 Utah) - A high profile inmate was found dead in his jail cell early Friday morning.

Authorities in Weber County say Matthew David Stewart hanged himself inside his jail cell.

"At 12:58 a.m. an officer who was doing hourly routine check found him where he had used his bed sheet to hang himself," says Weber County Attorney Dee Smith.

Stewart was jailed after being released from the hospital. The sheriff says he was not under a suicide watch but was monitored like any other prisoner.

"He was housed in a safe and secure manner as is possible within a secure facility," says Sheriff Todd Richardson. "Visual checks of inmates are and were made every hour, twenty four hours a day.

Stewart was facing aggravated murder charges for the death of Ogden police officer Jared Francom. He's also accused of wounding five others during a drug raid at his home last year.

Friday morning, Stewart's family was notified about his death.

"At the end of it all, Matthew knew how much we loved him, knew how much we were fighting for him knew how much we all supported him and no matter what no one's going to take that from us," says his sister Rachel Faulkner.

The search warrant used by police was at the heart of Stewart's case. His attorney claimed it was obtained illegally. Wednesday his attorney made that argument. Stewart was also present at the hearing. But in the end, the judge rejected their motion for a hearing to consider having the search warrant thrown out.

"We were disappointed by the outcome on that," says his attorney Randy Richards. "We had a quantum of evidence that showed there were a lot of problems all through this case."

But Richards won't be able to prove that in court. He says Stewart's death caught him by surprise.

"I was shocked and devastated," Richards says. "He was a friend as well as a client. Whether that (setback) contributed, I have no idea. whether he left a note, I don't know."

Weber County Attorney Dee Smith says the search warrant was valid and the judge's decision to reject the claim proves his point.

"The defendant (Stewart) was afforded every constitutional right available to him and he was treated fairly by all involved," says Smith. "These officers were heroic and they followed the law every step of the way."

But at Stewart's home, that wasn't the feeling. Stewart's sister-in-law says police misunderstood who they were after.

"He wasn't dealing, he wasn't violent," says Erin Stewart. "For anybody to think Stewart was the only one who made mistakes that night ... it breaks my heart.

She says the family has no ill will towards the officers or their families but mistakes were made that night.

"We wanted to see it fought fairly," she says. "We haven't lashed out at the family or the officers themselves. We just wanted to see it fought fairly right and the correct way. The way the judicial system should be."

Whether the judge's ruling had a bearing on Stewart's suicide, his family isn't sure. But they do know he meant no harm to anyone.

"He was a sweet guy that night wasn't totally not him," says his sister. "It was brought out of fear out of surprise."

And for now, the family is comforted in knowing they fought for his freedom and now he's free at last.

"I love him with all my heart," says Faulkner. "I will miss him a lot but he's going to be around us. He's going to be around us."

Accused Cop Killer Found Dead in His Weber Co. Jail Cell

Fri, 24 May 2013 08:24:00 -0600

OGDEN, Utah (ABC 4 Utah ) - Matthew David Stewart, who is accused of killing Officer Jared Francom during an arrest attempt in 2012, was found dead in his Weber County jail cell.

According to his family's Facebook page, Stewart died overnight and was found in his cell this morning.

Weber County Sheriff's Office will hold a press conference Friday afternoon, at that point ABC4Utah is hoping to have more information.

Stay with ABC 4 Utah news for additional information as it becomes available.

15-year old arrested in deaths of two siblings

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:52:11 -0600

WEST POINT Utah (ABC 4 Utah) - A fifteen year old is in juvenile detention after being questioned for the deaths of his two brothers.

Thursday night, their mother found her four-year old dead inside their home. Police say she couldn't find her other two sons when she contacted authorities.

Davis County sheriff deputies later found the ten year old dead inside the home.

"It appears they died from a knife like wound," says Sheriff Todd Richardson.

Richardson says the 15-year old fled the home but Layton police found him shortly after midnight.

"He had some wounds," Richardson says.

After being questioned, Richardson says he was booked into a juvenile facility in Davis County.

"He acted alone," he says. "There are no others at large.

Richardson says their father serves in the military and is stationed in the United States. He says he's been notified and is returning to West Point.

The 15-year old attends West Point Junior High where students were shaken by the tragedy.

"This is really hard to understand" says one student who claims she sits next to him in science. "He is very friendly and always talking about school work and he's very smart.

Early Thursday morning, the bodies of the four-year old and ten-year old were removed from the house and taken to the medical examiner for an official autopsy report. One mother was holding back tears.

"My son is devastated right now," says Angela Moffo. "My son played with the two boys. They were nice kids."

Others say the family was often seeing running as a form of exercise.

"He (15-year old) was a runner," says Ann Durrwachter.

Another neighbor says their father ran marathons.
Lindsey Caballero says she often spoke with the mother of the boys.

"I've talked with their mother many times but I never got the sense that there was this kind of trouble," says Lindsey Caballero.

Caballero did say the two brothers who were killed are adopted and the 15-year old is the biological son. There are also three other siblings who were not home at the time of the deaths.

"You could tell there was a sibling rivalry between the biological son and the adopted boys," she says. "But I never imagined it could go this far."

Police say prosecutors will be screening the case against the 15-year old who will be charged in the juvenile system.

Utahns search for sunken treasure off Key West

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:41:52 -0600

KEY WEST, Florida (ABC 4 News) - Cross Marine Projects of American Fork likes to get its feet wet. The company has gained an global reputation for finding things in lakes and oceans - things that other people have lost.

Cross is perhaps on the verge of it's biggest find to date. It's a find that could change history and make some people very rich.

A Cross team was recently in Key West, Florida. They used the tourist Mecca to stage an exploration of sea floor about 10 miles South. Their objective: a Spanish ship that sank nearly four centuries ago.

They believe the ship might have been part of a fleet heading to Spain in 1622 with New World treasure. Off the Florida Keys the fleet ran headlong into a hurricane.

The most famous of that fleet, Nuestra Senora de Atocha and Santa Margarita, were discovered in the mid 1980's by treasure hunter Mel Fisher. The gold and silver he brought up was worth an estimated $450 million.

Fisher found parts of the ships in 60 to 80 feet of water. That meant relatively easy dives.

But the Cross team worked in 350 feet of water. That is a dangerous depth for divers and requires special training and equipment.

Jon Cross has both. Still, at such a depth, he could stay on the bottom for only a few minutes followed by hours on the surface in a decompression chamber.

When you're searching a two square mile area with little idea of what you'll find, sending down a diver is just not worth the expense or the risk. "That's where ROV's are very handy," explained Jon Cross. "If you lose an ROV it's a very sad moment because it's a lot of money, but everyone's still going home to their families."

The ROV -- Remotely Operated Vehicle -- that Jon will pilot is powered by twin thrust fans. It has high intensity lights and high definition cameras. It can go down as far as 1,000 feet and stay as long as needed.

But as the ROV goes in the water, it's clear this will not be an easy mission.

Two other companies have tried and failed to get closer looks at any of the intriguing shapes found by sonar.

On this day, the surface is rough and there are strong currents below that constantly push the ROV and test Jon's skills. "Once you get into a current it's like you're fighting against a river. And the second you start to turn, the ROV will spin on you and do a 360 degree. The current will grab it and try to send it off in some random direction," said Jon.

But after hours of struggling to keep the ROV on course, the team is rewarded with the first object coming into view on the otherwise barren ocean floor. Jon remembers, "Your heart just stops for a minute because you don't know what it is."

At first glance the object looks like a crusted log, but as the ROV pivots to look at one end it's camera sees a rectangular slot typical of a ship's mast.

Now the discoveries come relatively quickly. After the mast, two cannons come into view. Flying the ROV, Jon Cross takes it over the top and looks down the barrels of both.

"We're very, very excited about what the prospects are," said Jim Cross, President of Cross Marine.

Jim Cross said the decoration around the barrel of one cannon was consistent with a Spanish ship of that period. However, he's intrigued by the other barrel - it's octagonal. That doesn't fit. "We don't have all of the answers yet, but this is a real mystery." That's why Jim signed onto the project, for the mystery and the history.

"The captains of the Atocha and Margarita both wrote in their logs that were recovered -- they saw two ships turn over and go down in deep water. And this is the deep water. Where the Atocha and Margarita were in about 80 feet of water, these were in 350 of water, so it matches," Jim said. "And the world changed because of that."

Spain, already strapped for cash because of the 30 Years War and rebellious colonies, desperately needed the treasure from Atocha and Margarita to pay the bills. Although some of the treasure of the Margarita would be salvaged eventually, Spain never recovered from the financial blow and it's empire in the Americas and elsewhere began to slip away. History was changed.

By all accounts, those two ships carried most of the treasure of the 28 ship fleet. Still, six others also sank in the hurricane -- at least some of them in deep water away from the coral reefs. Jim Cross believes he has found at least one of those other, lost ships of the fleet.

Cross is quick to point out they are still a long way from doing any serious salvage.

Still, back in Mel Fisher's time, such a project would have been all but impossible.

With new technology, what was lost to the deep is now within reach.

Park City, named top 10 finalist in Outside Magazine's "Best Towns"

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:25:37 -0600

Park City, UT (ABC4 News) - Park City, Utah, has been named a top ten finalist in Outside Magazine's "Best Towns" competition.

The winner will be decided via Facebook voting where participants can vote for their favorite finalist beginning today.

Outside Magazine selected America's top ten best towns based on nine categories including food and nightlife, access to green space, skiing, biking, surfing, paddling, running, great gyms and sports shops, and low commute time.

The winner of the "Best Towns" competition receives a feature story in the September issue of Outside Magazine portraying the reasons why the destination deserves this honor.

The top ten finalists are featured on Outside Magazine's Facebook page where the public is encouraged to cast their vote for their favorite town. Outside Magazine fans are able to vote once a day for the destination of their choice today through June 13, 2013, when voting concludes.

Voters can also enter to win a five-day adventure to one of the top ten finalist destinations. To cast a vote, the public is invited to visit www.facebook.com/outsidemagazine.

Park City is North America's most accessible mountain recreation destination, located just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport. Home to three world-class ski resorts, over 400 miles of public trails, and more than 100 restaurants, Park City offers a mountain range of possibilities.

For more information, please visit www.visitparkcity.com.

Mayor Winder will not seek reelection

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:19:15 -0600

West Valley City, UT (ABC 4 News) - West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder announced today that he will not be seeking reelection this fall. Winder, who was elected in 2009 with 76% of the vote, said the decision was a financial one, based on his need to provide for his family with full-time employment.

"Public service is always a sacrifice for a family, and in our city's council-manager form of government it is especially difficult to serve as mayor," Winder said. "Although the pay is part-time, the duties of the job of mayor have daily demands that make other employment very difficult. For the need of better providing for my growing family, I announce today that I will not be seeking reelection."

West Valley City's mayor is paid $35,000 per year, about 1/3 of the wage of mayors of Provo, Sandy, Salt Lake City and other cities of similar size.

The mayor said that he will complete his term of office that expires in January 2014 and will seek full-time employment for his post-mayoral career. "There is much work to still do this year, including hiring and working with a new police chief," Winder said, "and there has been so much progress over the past four years that our city can be proud of."

He points to ten specific achievements:
1) The turnaround of Valley Fair Mall, which added 300,000 square feet of retail and today has the #1 Olive Garden in North America and the most high tech movie theater in the United States.
2) Seeing TRAX come to West Valley City and leveraging transit to launch the half-billion dollar Fairbourne Station development, which includes a new Embassy Suites Hotel that opened this year.
3) Other economic development success, such as seeing over a billion dollars in private investment come to the city last year, over 4,000 jobs created by new or expanding businesses in four years, and bringing Petzl's North American headquarters to the city.
4) Improved and cleaned up neighborhoods, with code enforcement violations down, a 46% reduction of graffiti along major city corridors, and the first CNG fleet of garbage trucks in the state.
5) Crime dropping 11% in the city since 2009, with police calls at Valley Fair Mall down 75%, and strengthening the Professional Standards Review Board that oversees complaints against the department.
6) Three new parks created, with plans for more trails, a skate park, and a Jordan River park. A revamped golf course will open this summer.
7) Expanded programs and exhibits, and a new Chinese Heritage Gate at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center.
8) The city's animal shelter is on track to be the first city in Utah with a "no kill" shelter status.
9) Naming rights for the "E-Center" finally secured after 12 years, becoming "The Maverik Center".
10) Treating people with dignity, including championing an anti-discrimination ordinance to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in housing and employment; and launching an English Language Initiative that has recognized nearly 1,000 immigrants who have completed English classes.
Mayor Winder was elected by his peers to be president of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, and chair of the Salt Lake Valley Conference of Mayors. In 2011, he was named "Best of State" mayor for Utah, recognized in City Weekly's "Best of Utah", and was a nominee for the Salt Lake Tribune's "Utahn of the Year."

Utah Business magazine has listed him as one of Utah's "Forty Rising Stars Under Forty." As mayor he also published a history book of the city.

Winder, age 37, served a term on the city council and four years as the city's
business development manager before being elected mayor. He and his wife, Karyn, are the parents of four children between the ages of five and fourteen. "I love this city and it is an honor to serve as mayor," he said, "I look forward to many more years of continued community service in various capacities."

Local group creates Smoggy App

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:13:18 -0600

Salt Lake City, UT (ABC4 News) - A local group created an app called "Smoggy." It lets you know what the air quality is in any given city at any time.

They created it after our bad air days this past winter. The designer of the app appeared on ABC4 News to talk about its importance.

Utah native Derek Hough wins 4th mirror ball

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:46:00 -0600

SALT LAKE CITY, (ABC 4 Utah) – Utah native Derek Hough walked away with his fourth mirror ball trophy Tuesday with partner Kellie Pickler, as the two were crowned the winners of Season 16 of Dancing with the Stars.

The win solidifies Derek’s spot at the top of the list of dancers with the most wins on DWTS. He is the only person to have twice as many trophies as any other contestant, including his sister Julianne Hough.

Father Bruce Hough talked with ABC 4 Reporter Cristina Rendon about his son’s season. He said he never missed a show from the family’s Utah home.

“They’ve had the best season of anybody on the show I think,” Hough said.

Derek and Kellie also had some of the most memorable dances. Hough said Derek was not going to return to the show this season, but he changed his mind one week before rehearsals started.

“There was just a little voice that said you probably ought to do this one and when he did it turned out to be a great thing,” Hough said. “Kellie is a joy.”

Hough said Kellie took every challenge Derek threw at her. Together they created unforgettable, breathtaking performances.

Hough hopes his son’s talent will get an Emmy nod. Derek has been nominated a couple of times, but has never won.

“If he doesn’t win this time someone is not paying attention because he’s had some great dances this season,” Hough said.

Hough said Derek always wants to give his partners the best experience and best memories on the show, mirror ball trophy or not, but winning is a bonus.

Derek is currently working on two television shows. One, called “Blackpool,” will focus on the prestigious ballroom competition in Blackpool, England as he and sister Julianne expose behind-the-scenes drama. The other is a reality-based television show about dancing filmed in Utah.

Stay tuned to ABC 4 Utah for the latest on the developments of the shows.

Josh's phone call to Susan

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:50:23 -0600

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Utah) – Josh Powell was evasive from day one of West Valley’s police investigation.

Powell is the husband of Susan Cox Powell who disappeared in December 2009.

Josh killed himself in February 2012 by setting his rented home in Washington state on fire. Inside the house were his two sons whom he also killed prior to setting the house on fire.

Police closed their investigation which has spanned three and a half years. But in doing so, they also released nearly three thousand documents about their investigation.

In one file, police kept a log of all of Susan’s home phone voice mails about the time she disappeared.

One of those calls came from Josh who claimed he had been camping when she disappeared. He was with his two sons when he dialed home.

Josh: "Hello Susan. We are on our way back and anyway I can't believe somehow my brain missed a day. I thought the day was Sunday. That was really, really stupid but anyway hopefully you got to work okay."

Police did bring him in for questioning and executed a search warrant for his van. Inside his van, police found evidence of someone camping, mud on the gas pedal, first aid and other supplies. There was a generator, food and even a circular saw.

Josh told Susan in the voice message that there were problems out there.

Josh: "So anyway we ran into every conceivable problem and anyway it was kind of a nightmare but oh well, I mean I'll talk to you later. See you later bye."

In another file, police had copies of photographs that they took of Josh’s hands. He had come to the police station for an interview after he was tracked down, some 18 hours after he had left home.

The detective wrote: "Josh seemed very concerned about the condition of his hands. Never once did he mention anything about Susan what he had done or offer any suggestions of assistance.”

During the same interview, the detective asked him if he had ever tried calling home. Josh said he couldn’t get reception and shut the phone off to save power. Yet police found a cell phone adapter inside his van.

Josh claimed he tried calling Susan on her cell phone.

But police found her cell phone in the middle console of the van.

The detective wrote: "I then asked Josh why he would call her cellular phone if he knew he had it. He said he may have forgotten he had the phone."

Attorney: feds investigating Steve Powell

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:49:46 -0600

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Utah) – It’s not over.
That’s what the attorney for Chuck and Judy Cox is telling reporters.

Anne Bremner says federal authorities are now investigating Steve Powell.

He is the father of Josh Powell who along with his brother was involved in the disappearance of Susan Cox Powell. She is Josh’s wife.

“This is not over,” Bremner told reporters from her office in Washington state.

And that suit’s Jennifer Graves just fine.

She is the daughter of Steve Powell who from the outset was convinced Josh was involved in Susan’s death.

“The biggest surprise they (West Valley police) didn't have enough to pull my dad into it and pursue him,” Graves says.

Monday, West Valley police closed down their active investigation into Susan’s death. It now is considered a cold case. Police did say Josh and Mike Powell were involved in her disappearance.

Steve Powell is currently serving time in a Washington prison for voyeurism.

“I'm still not convinced that he wasn't aware,” says Graves. “They just don't have anything on him. I don't know if my dad has information, he might still.”

Graves even went to West Valley police and suggested she wear a wiretap to get information from Josh.

“It was my idea,” she says.

She traveled to the Powell home in Washington wearing the wiretap.

“At first it was light pressure, trying to get him to react a little bit,” Graves says. “It was like pressure to show me some emotion, like is there anything in there, (pointing to her head), can I see anything?”

But she says Josh would just clam up, not say anything or reacting in any way.

“After awhile I laid aside all pretenses and said ‘where's the body, show me the body, tell me where the body is?’” Graves says.

But Josh refused to answer her. Graves says after that she was never welcomed to the home.

Recent Study Shows SLC Has Highest Rate of Same Sex Couples Raising Children

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:38:00 -0600

A recent study done by the UCLA School of Law shows that the metro areas with the highest percentages of same-sex couples raising children are in states that have a constitutional ban on marriage. Salt Lake City, Memphis and San Antonio are among the top 5 metro areas over 1 million who have a high rate of same sex couple parents. For more on the study and its impact, watch ABC 4 Utah news tonight at 6.

Utah teen suicides

Mon, 20 May 2013 21:54:00 -0600

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Utah) – It’s the most horrific sight a parent or sibling can come across.

They often times are the ones finding their loved ones after committing suicide.

It happens quite often in Utah. According to the Utah Department of Health the state ranks 10th in the nation in teen suicides and every day two are treated for attempted suicides.

A major effort to prevent suicides happened nine years ago in Moab.

Five teens committed suicide within 18-months of each other. There was some fear at the time that there was a pact for others to do the same.

"I went right to the closet and it took me a moment to realize what I was seeing,”
recalls Sherilynn Sowell.

Her daughter, 17-year old Kelly Sowell was hanging from a clothes bar inside the closet.

"I thought she was sitting,” she says.
“Her hair which is long was over this way. I screamed her name out."

She was hoping for some response, but the senior at Grand County high school in Moab wasn't moving.

"I'd seen these dark circles all around her legs and she didn't move when I screamed her name,” says Sowell.

She went looking for her husband. Both lifted the body and tried undoing the rope around her neck.

“It was so tight, it was so impossible but it took both of us to do it right,” she says.

She tried CPR but there was no pulse.

“Kelly was gone,” she says. “(Her) last words to me (were) ‘I tried to get a hold of Cleve and couldn't’ and that was the last words my baby said to me," she says.

Mario Hernandez was 13-years old and lived a few houses from Kelly.

“I turned the corner into the closet and there he was dead,” says Sharla Lovato.

"I was looking for the key to the chain I couldn't find it. I just wanted to get him down. I didn't want him like that."

Mario had used a bike chain to hang himself in the closet.

"And I pushed his body and I say no, no,” says Lovato in a tearful voice.

Mario and Kelly were five of the teens who took their lives over an 18 month period beginning in 2004.

It all started that summer when brothers Stephen and Brandon Cannistraci committed suicide within two months of each other. Days later their friend Katherine Langdon hanged herself in Carbon County.

“We were all really scared (over the suicides),” says Principal Melinda Snow of Grand County Middle School. “It was massive rumors, people were saying there was this big pact and we would lose five more kids."

She says there was panic at her school after Mario's suicide which took place during the first days of school.

Principal Snow says none of the rumors of a pact were true. It was more of a copycat.

"He (Mario) was everybody's friend, even teachers,” she says. “Everyone adored him. Nobody saw it coming."

Certainly it was never detected by his mother, Sharla Lovato. She remembers taking Mario to Stephen's funeral.

"I go please don't ever do that to us,” Lovato says. “See all those people suffering I said that's what you're going to do to us. He said ‘yeah I would never mom.’"

Sowell knew her daughter was troubled. She says Kelly was bullied by adults and classmates after going to police.

Kelly testified in court that a popular teacher and coach Ariel Beck sexually abused her.

“She was bullied because of testifying against this person,” says her mother. “She couldn't get over it and it confused her sexual identity she couldn't get over it.”

Beck was convicted of forcible sex abuse and was sent to prison. But the case was overturned and a new trial was ordered. Kelly took her own life before the second trial. Her mother blamed Beck.

“She wasn't in the room that night but she might as well have been,” says Sowell. “She was the one who absently without being in the room put that dog lease around her neck and hung that child. Because Kelly would still be here had she not been sexually abused.”

Court records show Beck took a plea prior to the trial. She served no extra prison time but remains on the sex offender registry for ten years.

“We have been successful here in Provo because of everyone getting involved in preventing suicide,” says Dr. Greg Hudnall

At the Provo School District teachers and staff learn how suicides can be prevented. Its Dr. Hudnall’s mission after learning that one of his students committed suicide years ago. After that suicide, Dr. Hudnall set up a prevention program called www.hope4utah.com and since then he says there have not been any suicides in the Provo schools.

He also takes his suicide workshop to any Utah school seeking advice Dr. Hudnall says weeding out bullies is key. And more importantly he says listening and perception can help target a troubled student.

“Suicide can happen within a window of three hours,” Dr. Hudnall told those attending his workshop. “If someone can recognize that intense moment, there's a high percentage that suicide can be prevented.”

In 2004, Dr. Hudnall brought his expertise to Moab after the cluster of suicides. The school district took action focusing on the students.

At Mario's funeral, Principal Snow was asked to speak. She admits to not knowing much of Mario but she says she had to get her message across to the her students.

“When I said he made a bad choice he missed out on his own life and I'm looking at all those children,” recalls snow. “They have this great future in front of them and to cut it short was foolish thinking.”

Dr. Douglas Gray is head of the University of Utah's child psychiatry unit. He says glorifying suicides creates copycats.

“When you're suffering from bad depression you're in a lot of psychological pain and then someone who dies is sort of revered, it sends that signal that that's the way to go,” says Dr. Gray.

Mario's mother had no idea her son was suicidal. She found a note Mario left behind.

“(He wrote that) he would see us on the other side, that he was sorry,” says Lovato.

Dr. Gray says 90% of teens who commit suicide have one thing in common.

“Most youth suicide is caused by mental illness, usually untreated or under treated,” he says.

In the case of Kelly Sowell she was bullied after accusing Beck of sexually molesting her. Her mother didn't see it coming.

"Had I read this letter (that she found in Kelly’s room), I think she wanted me to read it,” says her mother. “And when I didn't she was hurt that I didn't."

Dr. Gray says a teen sends signals that something is wrong.

“And whether it's a parent, teacher, sibling or a friend, its okay to talk about it,” Dr. Gray says. “One thing people worry a lot about is if they talk about suicide or ask about it, it will somehow create a problem or make someone more prone to suicide and that's not true.”

Sometimes a teen does get a second chance. Attempted suicides are common. According to the Utah Department of Health two teens attempt suicide daily. A drug overdose nearly took a West Jordan teen’s life.

“I didn't see my life going anywhere,” says the teen who did not want to be identified. “I didn't see any point I just wanted all the pain to end.”

He says pressure to get straight A's was too much for him to handle.

“He (uncle) expected so much for me I didn't feel I could do it,” the teen says. So I stopped trying.”

He's now in therapy and he says getting help was the best thing that happened to him during his crisis.

“She says whenever I feel suicidal pull it out (medallion) and it will make me remember how everyone else will feel when I kill myself,” says the teen.

He is a survivor. But there are so many who don't get a second chance.

To learn more about prevention, help and other advice the following websites offer information.

www.hope4utah.com
www.suicidology.org/home
http://www.sprc.org/states/utah
http://www.namiut.org/inform-yourself/suicide-prevention

Screaming Woman Spurs Help

Mon, 20 May 2013 16:40:26 -0600

OGDEN, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A screaming woman caused a scene in an Ogden neighborhood on May 17 at about
10:30 p.m.

"My wife told me she thought she heard someone scream and that was the reason I looked out and I saw police cars," said Conrad Pons.

Lt. Chad Ledford of the Ogden Police Department says a woman sitting in a car with four others felt threatened. The woman opened her door and began to run when the car stopped near 2039 Quincy Avenue.

"We heard, 'Don't kill me' from the front yard and the back yard," said Amadeo Ocampo.

Several neighbors peered out their windows and watched the situation escalate.

Ledford says Steven Beazer and Dewayne Dumas grabbed the victim and began dragging her toward 2039 Quincy Avenue. The victim fought back and as a result Alisha Sandoval and Shannon Rose helped to pull the victim into the house.

Ledford says once inside the home the four threatened to sexually assault and kill the victim, but phone calls made by concerned neighbors alerted police to the area.

Officers waited 15 minutes before the suspects would open up, according to Ledford.

They found the frightened victim and the suspects.

The victim told police she was assaulted over a property dispute. The four suspects say it was caused by a drug deal.

Police say the victim in this story did the right thing. She screamed to draw attention to herself before her alleged kidnappers could isolate her.

The suspects are charged with kidnapping and assault. The vicitm was released at the scene.

Ex-con gives scholarship to children of other inmates

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:34:00 -0600

WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Graduation for West Jordan High senior Mariah Williamson will be bitter sweet. The one person she hoped would be there won't.

“She's not going to see me graduate and it's the one thing I had asked,” she said. Her mom is currently incarcerated, in and out of jail for the last 13 years.

“It's been hard because I didn't have a relationship with her when I was a little girl and I always wanted a mom,” she said.

Without a dad in the picture, Mariah was raised by her grandma, but has taken on a lot of life's responsibilities herself by managing to be an honor student while working full-time 40 hours a week.

“It's really stressful,” she said.

Mariah might not get the support she needs from her mom, but is about to from someone once locked-up himself.

Karl Winsness can't get lost time back with his now grown kids, so he decided to make a difference where it still counts.

Winsness, who now owns a plumbing company, started a scholarship for children of inmates donating most of the thousand dollar awards from his own pocket.

“You realize the helplessness when you realize you're only making 40 cents an hour and they are thinking about going to college and they've worked hard they haven’t done anything wrong,” said Winsness.

On Monday, Mariah, the very first recipient of the “Willy the Plumber” scholarship got to meet the man behind it.

“I think it's amazing I wish my mom would be inspired and do something like that,” she told Winsness. “Well maybe she will, my children inspired me to do this,” he said.

It's not so much the money, but the act of kindness from a stranger that perhaps touches Mariah most.

“It really makes a difference in our lives, being able to know that people do care even though our parents aren't there and they don't care,” she said.

If you would like to donate to the “Willy the Plumber” scholarship fund, click here.

Utah law enforcement takes "Click it or Ticket" campaign to new heights

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:18:52 -0600

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - With a big holiday weekend ahead, the Utah Highway Patrol is relaying a very important message: "Click it or Ticket".

It’s a campaign directed at getting drivers to use a powerful and important feature in the vehicles-- their seatbelts. Utah law enforcement is going to new heights to get the message across.

“Some people just are not grasping what a seatbelt can do for you,” said Sgt. Ted Tingey, UHP.

How better to show what a seatbelt can do than hoist a truck in mid-air secured only with a strap made out of them, which is what was displayed in front of the Utah State Capitol building Monday.

A pick-up truck-- because those who drive them in Utah aren't as likely to get the message.

UHP says only 69 percent of truck and SUV occupants buckle up, compared to 86 percent in other vehicles.

Unfortunately that trend proved true this weekend when three people were ejected from an SUV in Tooele County. All three were not wearing their seatbelts.

“I think most people get behind the pick up truck, whether you're male or female, and you think ‘I'm in a bigger vehicle’”, said Sgt. Tingey. “Most of the time they're in the rural areas of Utah, so there's not as much traffic, ‘I’m going a short distance, I’m running down to the farm’ or they’re going to the store and so you tend to take a few more chances thinking it's not going to happen to me.”

Perhaps the most effective way to show what a seatbelt can do is to see the living proof which is why law enforcement invited a Utah man to share his story with the media of surviving a rollover with two others.

“Our truck rolled several times, we were thrown around in there, glass, debris, everything was in our face, we were so happy when the crash had stopped that we actually had our seatbelt on and we were all okay,” said Clint Leary, a crash survivor.

UHP plans to have an additional 400 patrols on the roads in Utah this weekend who will be ticketing those not wearing their seatbelts.

Hundreds of animals get adopted at Super Pet Adoption

Sun, 19 May 2013 20:43:44 -0600

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Hundreds of animals in need of a home finally got one. The Super Pet Adoption at Utah State Fairpark had a record number of adoptions this weekend.

“We needed another friend for our pit-lab mix we just couldn't find one with anyone of the rescues in town and thought this would be a perfect opportunity,” said Amanda Storrs from Spanish Fork.

“We've got 17 different shelters and rescue groups that come throughout the state to get their animals together for this event,” said Temma Martin, Best Friend's Animal Society.

The event started off with 800 animals looking for owners. By weekend's end 500 of them were adopted setting a record.

“I think it's one of the favorite events of the staff,” said Lydia Beuning, Best Friend's Animal Society. “It's the most that we can actually see our good work happen, we can see our animals find a forever home. It's something everyone gets excited about and it's really heart warming.”

All of the animals go to their new homes spayed or neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped.

Of the animals that didn't get adopted out this weekend, their profiles are placed here.

Utah Soldier killed in action

Sun, 19 May 2013 17:41:05 -0600

ELK RIDGE, Utah (ABC 4 News) – A Utah County family is mourning the death a son and brother who was killed in Afghanistan.

Cody Towse heard an explosion May 14 and immediately ran to help a wounded soldier. Moments later, a second improvised explosive device exploded and killed four soldiers.

Cody was considered missing in action until May 18 when his body was identified.

The following day friends and family gathered inside the home Towse family home in Elk Ridge to remember his life and to comfort on another.

The atmosphere inside the home was somber but it was filled with peace. People could be heard quietly talking to one another. Occasionally someone would smile as they remembered something good about Cody’s life.

ABC 4 Utah’s Noah Bond was invited inside the Towse home to file this report. He talked with his father Jim about Cody's last act to help another wounded soldier.

“He told me before he went he said, ‘Dad if I die over there helping save someone’s life that’s the way I want to go.’ I’m like Cody don’t even talk like that,” Jim said.

Cody graduated from Salem High School where he earned high grades. He is also remembered as a good big brother and had a lot of friends. His dream was to work as an EMT after leaving the military.

“He was an EMT when he was 18 like the first day he was 18. He took the test and got one of the highest test scores you could get in the State. I think he was one of the youngest EMT’s in the State,” said Jim.

Bond also talked with Cody’s mother about her last conversation with him on Mother’s Day. It was a special phone call because Cody was born on Mother’s Day.

“He loved America and he loved to serve and I’m so proud of him for having those feelings of wanting to serve his fellow men,” said Jamie Towse.

Cody was 21-years-old. His 19-year-old brother said he was also trying to make other people happy.

“I just want people to remember all the fun times people had with him more than anything because he was the funniest kid he was so funny every body loved him and thought he was hilarious,” said Will Towse.

The Towse family is anxiously waiting for Cody’s body to be shipped to Utah. Arrangements for his public funeral were not in place by the time this story was posted online.

His family set up a memorial fund at all Wells Fargo Banks. You can give to the “PFC Cody Towse Memorial Fund”. The money will be used to construct a memorial for Cody.

NEW INFORMATION: Crash sends 6 people to hospital

Sat, 18 May 2013 23:15:34 -0600

SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah (ABC 4 News) – A violent collision sent six people to the hospital Saturday night.

Police responded to an area near State Route 73 and 800 West in Saragota Springs.

Below is a news release issued by the Saratoga Springs Police Department:

At about 9:30pm on May 18, 2013, officers and medical crews were dispatched to the area of 1200 W. SR-73 in Saratoga Springs (this is approximately two miles west of the Saratoga Springs Crossroads intersection).

Upon arrival, officers discovered three (3) vehicles had been involved in a significant motor vehicle collision. The on-scene preliminary investigation determined a pick-up truck, which was traveling westbound on SR-73, had crossed-over the center lane of travel, into oncoming traffic (EB) on SR-73.

The pick-up collided into a mini-van being occupied by two people. As a result of the crash, the mini-van rolled and subsequently ejected the driver. The driver and passenger were later transported by ground crews to an area hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

Immediately following the first collision, the pick-up then struck an SUV, also in a partial head-on type collision. As a result of this crash, a child being restrained in a child safety seat, was transported to a SL area pediatric hospital by LifeFlight ®, also having sustained serious injuries. The other two occupants were taken by ground to area hospitals for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Due to the force of the collisions, the young adult, male driver of the pick-up truck was pinned inside the cab of his vehicle for a short time. SSFD crews who responded to the scene utilized life-saving extrication equipment to free the driver. The driver was taken by AirMed ® to an area hospital for treatment of critical injuries. In all, six (6) patients were taken by air or ground to a hospital.

As a result of the nature of the crash, SSPD officers also employed the services of the SSPD Major Accident Investigations Team- in addition to a request for assistance from the UHP Major Accident Investigations Unit. Both teams utilized specialized equipment to reconstruct the scene and to further determine possible contributing factors in this accident.

At the time of this informational release, SR-73 has been re-opened following a nearly four (4) hour investigation and reconstruction. Investigators state that they will be also checking to see whether alcohol, drugs, and/or distracted driving may have played a role as a contributing factor in this crash. However, due to the scene’s complexity, completion of this investigation may take several weeks. We send our thoughts and well-wishes to all those involved and impacted by this unfortunate incident.

Source: Cpl. Matt Brownlee, City of Saratoga Springs Police Department

Girl missing for 20 days

Sat, 18 May 2013 21:43:52 -0600

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC 4 News) – A mother is pleading for her daughter to come home.

Michaela Kerby is a 17-year-old girl who reportedly left home with a friend on April 30.

Her friend has since returned home because she says their environment wasn’t safe.

ABC 4 Utah’s Noah Bond sat down to talk with Michaela’s mother to ask how she’s holding up.

“I know that she’s struggling inside and I just want her to know that I love her and I want her to come home. I want her to be with me. I want to let her know that things will be OK when she comes home,” said Charlotte.

Charlotte suspects her daughter is in Syracuse or Layton because the girl Michaela ran away with came home from the a Trax station in Layton.

Family and friends organized a Facebook page to help find Michaela. It has 850 likes and contains pictures of the missing girl and well wishes for her safe return.

Christine Holman Black wrote, “Lots of prayers that they find her.”

Dawn Artinger wrote, “I hope they find her safe!”

Michaela’s mother says her heart is broken because she doesn’t know who her daughter is with or what she is doing.

“I just want you to come home. I want you to be with me. I know that we can work things out and that things will be OK,” Charlotte said.

Call you local police department of 911 if you see Michaela Kerby.

Burn Camp donates new bunk beds

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:50:17 -0600

MILLCREEK CANYON, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Imagine having to sleep in an old, rusty bunk bed once used by prisoners.

That's what kids at Camp Tracy have been sleeping on for years. And some are not your ordinary campers.

Camp Tracy is a Boy Scout camp, but for one week out of the year in August, the scouts and the Great Salt Lake Council let the University of Utah Burn Center use it free of charge for young burn survivors.

“They're gracious enough to give us their space each year, they don't charge us,” said Brad Wiggins, Burn Camp co-director.

On Saturday, the Burn Center is saying thank you by replacing what's been a tiring problem for all campers who come here: bunk beds originally used at the Salt Lake County jail.

“Very antiquated, they're squeaky, they sag,” said Ronald Rife, co-director. “We've had kids fall out of the bunks because there is no railing on the bunks.”

Jacobsen Construction is donating the time along with lumber and equipment. By the end of the weekend, campers will have 80 state of the art bunk beds complete with storage, ladders and railings.

The U's Burn Camp has been held at Camp Tracy for 13 years.

If you would like to sponsor a camper's week at camp, click here.

Crowd protests Utah Ag-Gag law

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:38:44 -0600

DRAPER, Utah (ABC 4 News) – Hundreds of people protested Utah’s camera ban around farm animals. A crowd gathered outside Smith and Son’s slaughterhouse May 18 in Draper from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Utah has outlawed the general public and workers from filming farm animals on private property where they’re housed.

The protesters are targeting Smith and Son’s slaughterhouse in Draper because on February 8 Amy Meyer was filming cows.

“I immediately turned on my camera when I saw cows being led into the building trying to fight for their lives out of the building,” she said. “A manager immediately came out and confronted me and told me that what I was doing was illegal and I couldn’t be there. I told him I had every right to be there and I was on the public right away and I told him if he wants to call the cops that’s fine,” Amy Meyer continued.

Amy says at least six police officers filed a report and days later she was formally charged for allegedly stepping on private property and filming cows. She denies stepping onto private property and a judge later dismissed the case because of a lack of evidence.

“I think the Ag-Gag law is absolutely atrocious and we have the right to know where food is being produced and what is happening to animals inside slaughter houses,” Meyer said.

ABC 4 Utah called the Department of Agriculture to ask about Smith and Son’s record. Spokesman Larry Lewis says the meat processing facility is inspected daily and has a good record for animal care, but protesters say government oversight is not enough.

“I’m here because we have a right to know where our food is coming from,” said Amy Olson as she was protesting the Ag-Gag law.

The protesters say they want full transparency in and around meat processing plants.

“I think criminalizing whistle blowers, the media, undercover investigations for people who are trying to report the truth about our food and about animal abuse is unconstitutional, a breach of freedom of speech,” said protest organizer Stephany Alexander.

Below is a letter response from Dale T. Smith and Sons:

May 18, 2013

Statement by Dale T. Smith and Sons

Dale T. Smith and Sons respects the rights of this group to express its opinions. However, the public is being misled about our business by the protesters. Keeping animals free of stress and injury is in any meatpacking company’s best interest. At Dale T. Smith and Sons our animal handling and treatment practices are humane and responsible.

As business owners and family, we support and trust the law makers who are tasked with protecting the rights of all citizens. Recent events have made us aware of the need to secure and protect our property, employees and livestock. As responsible business owners and stewards of the agriculture industry we have and will continue to operate at the highest standards.

Respectfully,

Spokesperson

Dale T. Smith and Sons

Orem football player collapses on field

Fri, 17 May 2013 18:28:42 -0600

OREM, Utah (ABC 4 News) – An Orem High School football player is recovering after collapsing during practice Thursday.

Ben Smith, 16, is currently in a medically induced-coma at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center.

His brother was practicing with Ben when he went into cardiac arrest. “He just collapsed on the ground and turned him over and he was turning purple in the face,” said Jeremiah Smith, 17, one of Ben's seven brothers. “I knew he was going to make it, he's my brother, he's probably the toughest brother we have I just didn't like seeing him like that just the life leaving his eyes.”

Immediately his coach started CPR until paramedics came and took Ben to the hospital where doctors discovered he had a heart condition, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, that led to the collapse.

His doctor tells ABC4, without the quick-thinking actions of his coach, Ben likely would have died on the field. “Without early CPR and early intervention most patients don't make it out of cardiac arrest,” said Dr. David Wang, Ben's heart rhythm doctor at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center. “He would have had a terrible outcome.”

Dr. Wang expects to wake Ben from his coma Saturday, but said it's too soon to tell what kind of recovery he will make.

Meanwhile, Ben's classmates showed their support by dressing up Friday and signing posters and delivering them to Ben's hospital room.

Governor: teen suicide a problem

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:29:16 -0600

MAGNA Utah (ABC 4 Utah) – A showing of hands gave the governor a clear message: suicide is part of the student’s vocabulary.

Governor Gary Herbert was at Cypress High School to sign four measures into law that are designed to help students and parents deal with the issue of suicides.

“Suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst young adults and teens,” the governor told the students. “Two youths are treated for suicide attempts every day.”

But it didn’t surprise this group of students. Jane Burns spoke openly about her friend who took his live.

“It's like the one most amazing person in the world was gone one day,” says Burns. “He was like the one friend to everyone, the one who helped others with their problems and he's gone.”

When the governor asked how many students knew someone who committed or attempted suicides 95% of the kids attending raised their hand.

“That's an alarming number,” the Governor says.

He signed into law several measures that will help students and parents with the issue of suicide.

But on this day at Cypress High, the governor was looking for answers

darren lewis: “They're afraid to talk about the word suicide,” Darren Lewis with the Fallen Brothers Foundation told the governor. “I think that's one of our biggest problems of being afraid of the word.”

Governor Herbert then asked the students why no one talks about it.

“Some people may think just bringing up the topic may put ideas into people's head to commit suicide,” responded a student named Troy.

In the end, the governor asked students to be inclusive not exclusive to other students.

He issued them a challenge: greet 13 students that they’re not friends with each day.

Beginning Monday, May 20, ABC4 Utah will start a two part series about teen suicides. It starts with the Moab 5 and ends with the progress schools and experts are undertaking.

Utah anti-porn conference gets bigger

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:27:00 -0600

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 Utah) - Some Utahns may have a porn problem so the Utah Coalition Against Pornography plans to take a stand.

The organization will hold its 11th annual conference Saturday, May 18th, at The Little America Hotel.

UCAP Chair Pamela Atkinson said, this year it will be the biggest conference in state history. "We've had more online registrations than ever before. We're getting close to 12 hundred registrations."

Experts believe that is because pornography is on the rise. Some believe it even contributes to crime. Patrick Trueman, the President of Morality in Media said, "sex crimes and child molestation and etc. are directly tied to pornography. I was a federal prosecutor in charge of child sex crimes for the U.S. Department of Justice, pornography is involved in all of them."

Trueman will be a keynote speaker at the event joining nationally recognized experts on the topic and the state's former Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.

The event is full, but the UCAP will sell a taped version of the conference on their website in the coming weeks.

NoDropouts team gears up for "Running with Ed"

Fri, 17 May 2013 16:18:00 -0600

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - Teams of runners of all levels will be lacing up their shoes Saturday for the annual “Running with Ed", a relay race that raises money for Park City schools.

One of those teams is focused on students year-round, particularly those who drop out of high school.

NoDropouts, located on the 11th floor of Salt Lake City's Walker Center, works with more than 3,500 students in school districts across the country.

Once a district gives them a student's name, the team on a mission to enroll them in their accredited online high school where the students work with education coaches to complete credits and are even given a laptop they get to keep.

It's a method that's proven a success in its first three years.

“All told we've had about 500 kids either graduated from our program or returned to school and both of those we consider great victories,” said Gregg Rosann, president of the program.

NoDropouts may be based in Utah, but currently doesn't serve any Utah students even though there is a need, said Rosann. “They probably have about 20,000 to 30,000 kids who should be in school, but aren't,” he said. “We want to help those kids as well, that involves partnering with local school districts, getting those school districts a list of names that we can recruit and bring them back to school.”

While they wait for a school district to sign up, NoDropouts is helping Utah students in another way by participating in "Running with Ed" which that helps Park City schools fund special programs the district can't afford.

“Technology is advancing and those things cost money, so it's important to get those technologies and pieces into the school so students have a chance to experience these things during their education,” said Jeff Beck, communications director for NoDropouts.

ABC4 will also have a team running the relay that includes ABC 4’s Noah Bond, Kim Fischer and Kim Johnson.

Homeland security expert talks about terrorism

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:30:05 -0600

Boise, ID (ABC4 News) - A Boise man plead not guilty to terrorism charges in Idaho.

Fazliddin Kurbanov was charged in Idaho and Utah of conspiring to "provide support to a known terror organization." Investigators say he also used the internet to instruct others on how to make bombs. The Utah indictment will be handled separately.

Kurbanov is an Uzbekistan national but he's living legally in the U.S.

Homeland security expert Tom Panuzio appeared on ABC4 News to talk about the alleged threat.

Best Friends Pet Super Adoption

Fri, 17 May 2013 14:00:17 -0600

Salt Lake City, UT (ABC4 News) - Best Friends Pet Super Adoptions is this weekend.

Hundreds of dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and even rabbits will be available for adoption from local shelters and rescue groups.

Dates: May 17-19, 2013
Times: Friday noon - 7pm; Saturday 10am - 7pm; Sunday 10am - 4pm
Location: Utah State Fairpark, 155 North 1000 West, Salt Lake City

For more information: www.utahpets.org/nmhcms/BestFriendsUtahHome/NewsEvents/SpringSuperAdoption2013/tabid/413/Default.aspx

Watch memorial film for little Ryker Warner

Fri, 17 May 2013 12:09:09 -0600

Ryker Jason Warner, born March 7, 2012, passed away on April 26 from Heterotaxy, a rare syndrome that affected his organs. He was laid to rest on May 3.

Friends and family members continue to remember Ryker. Click on the following video to see a memorial film for Ryker Warner.