Wasatch Front News

Payson murder victim laid to rest Saturday

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:37:00 GMT

PAYSON, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A Payson man was laid to rest Saturday after he was murdered in his home earlier this week.

Kay Sherman Mortensen was well loved among his family, neighbors, friends, and former mechanical engineering students from BYU. All came to the funeral to pay their respects to the man.

On Monday, two people entered his home, tied him up, and killed him by slitting his throat.

"When we all heard about it, we were devastated," said Christine Lewis.

Mortensen had just returned from serving a one-year mission for the LDS Church in Cove Fort, Utah.

Friends say they'll miss Mortensen's passion for service.

"As a BYU Professor, as a missionary, as a church member, he spent lots of time doing many things to help others," said LDS Bishop Daniel Humpherys.

Mortensen's family released this statement:
"Kay Mortensen was a man loved by many people...and the world will unboubtedly be less interesting without him. It is hard to understand how anyone could commit shuch a senseless and cruel act."

Mortensen's killers are still on the lose. Police say they have several leads, but no arrests. The suspects are described as 5'4" tall and weighing about 115 pounds. They were last seen driving a small, blue hatchback car.

Orem man acquitted of killing girlfriend's baby

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:21:00 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A jury has acquitted a 24-year-old man accused of killing his girlfriend's baby boy last year.

But the 4th District Court panel in its decision Friday convicted Christopher Thunborg of obstructing justice.

Utah County Attorney Jeff Buhman says the Orem man had been charged with child abuse homicide for the March 11, 2008, death of 13-month-old Austin Pettersson.

On the witness stand, Thunborg testified that he was watching the boy for his girlfriend, 19-year-old Whitney Pettersson, when he fell to the floor and landed on top of the boy.

The medical examiner said the likely cause of death was a laceration on the boy's small intestine and a tear in his stomach caused by blunt-force

Information from The Salt Lake Tribune

Man claims wrongful imprisonment in Utah

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:44:00 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A 56-year-old man is trying to become the first person to receive compensation for wrongful imprisonment under a new Utah law.

The Utah Court of Appeals on Thursday ruled that Harry Miller should get a new hearing to prove his innocence, which would make him eligible for about $160,000 in compensation from the state.

Miller spent 4½ years in prison for a robbery before charges against him were dropped and he was released in 2007.

He has always maintained his innocence, claiming he could not have robbed a woman at knifepoint in Salt Lake City in 2000 because he was in Donaldsonville, La., recovering from a stroke.

Miller's attorney, Andrew McCullough, hailed the court's ruling.

"It's also a tremendous victory for anyone who might find themselves in the same situation," McCullough told the Salt Lake Tribune.

The Utah Attorney General's Office has challenged Miller's claim, saying he has not shown there is new evidence to prove his innocence.

The office hasn't decided whether to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court or suggest changes to the law.

"We're going to take some time to review what the court has said," Assistant Attorney General Erin Riley said. "This is the first case to come up on appeal under this law."

Miller petitioned for compensation for his imprisonment in May 2008, five days after a law creating a path to restitution took effect.

Under the law, innocent people are entitled to the state's average annual salary - about $36,000 in 2007 - for each year they wrongly spend in prison.

But in order to avoid compensating those who are released on a technicality, the law requires people prove they are "factually innocent" at a court hearing.

Miller, who is living with his daughter and looking for work in Fort Smith, Ark., said the compensation would make a big difference for him. He said his prison time "really ruined" his life.

He was sent to prison for five years to life after his 2003 conviction. But his attorneys later gathered new evidence to cast doubt on his conviction, and Miller won an order for a new trial.

Salt Lake County district attorneys declined to prosecute again. Employment and hospital records placed Miller in Louisiana two weeks before the robbery and a week afterward, but prosecutors argued he could have traveled back to Utah during that time and committed the crime.

Miller's sister was unable to testify on his behalf at his trial because of problems with her son. But on appeal, Miller's attorneys found other witnesses who could testify he was sick and in Louisiana, including his niece and a home health care nurse.

In October, Miller was arrested on suspicion of attempted possession of a controlled substance in Salt Lake City.

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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DUI driver causes major power outage

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:16:19 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY, (ABC 4 News) - Sheriff's Deputies say power along a portion of 900 East was knocked out on Saturday morning due to a drunk driver.

Deputy Wilkinson says he was called to 900 East and 4550 South just before 6 a.m.

When Deputies arrived, they found a woman had crashed into a power pole, destroying it.

The damage was so extensive that crews closed the road to have a new pole installed.

Power is expected to be out until the late afternoon in the area, causing several businesses like Walmart and Kmart, to close their doors for the day.

The road is expected to be closed from 4500 S. to Van Winkle until at least 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

The driver of the vehicle admitted she had been drinking. She was not hurt, and was taken to the Salt Lake County Jail.

Police investigate murder-suicide in West Jordan

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:42:19 GMT

WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A standoff that began early Saturday morning led to what police in West Jordan are calling a murder-suicide.

Police responded to the home near 6800 S. Triumph Lane around 3:00 a.m., after a concerned friend called 911.

When officers arrived, they found the suspect barricated inside the home. During four hours of negotiations, officers learned the suspect had killed his girlfriend who was still inside the home.

The standoff ended shortly before 7:00 a.m. when the suspect took his own life.

Officers say they are still trying to piece together what took place leading up to the incident, but they tell ABC 4 that there is a history of domestic violence at the address.

ABC 4 will continue to follow this story and have the latest developments at 5:00 p.m.

Gastric bypass: Lehi couple sticks together through thick and thin

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:58:00 GMT

LEHI, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A couple in Utah County went under the knife together on a weight loss journey in hopes of losing hundreds of pounds.

The couple is Mike and Lorena Downey. The two took their vows 26 years ago promising to love each other in good times or bad, for better or for worse, in sickness and in health and to see each other through thick and thin.

When they married, in 1983, Mike and Lorena had a combined total weight of just under 300 pounds, but this year they tipped the scales at almost 600 pounds.

“I look in the mirror, I’m not happy with who I see. When I got to 270 pounds it blew my mind. I couldn’t believe it. I was so close to 300 pounds,” said Lorena.

Although the Downeys were happily married with children, their weight slowly started to come between them.

“How could you look at your wife and say you’re not the woman I married, when you’re looking at yourself and saying you’re not the man she married,” said Mike.

The two knew something had to be done and began researching options. In a desperate effort to shed the weight they turned to gastric bypass surgery. After deciding that the surgery’s pros outweighed the cons they chose to do the surgery together.

They went to St. Mark’s hospital where Lorena had her surgery on October 7th and Mike had his one week later.

Gastric bypass surgery is growing more popular every day as America’s obesity epidemic tips the scales. The surgery has been known to save lives but there can also be life changing drawbacks.

Their journey consisted of three trips to the ER during the week of Mike’s surgery and complications for Lorena resulting in two additional surgeries.

Both are fine and after just five weeks the couple has lost nearly 100 pounds. They have been walking everyday and both say they’re feeling better and have more energy.

ABC 4 will continue to follow the Downey’s weight loss journey and keep you posted.

If you would like more information on gastric bypass you can visit the following website.

What movie doesn't tell you about the incredible story of Michael Oher

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:16:15 GMT

PROVO, Utah (ABC 4 News) - There is an aspect to the success story of the NFL's Michael Oher that was omitted from the new movie, "The Blind Side." It does not mention the role played by Brigham Young University.

The movie tells the story of how Oher was "adopted" off the streets of Memphis by a family that helped turn his life around. One of the keys to that turn around was getting him up to speed in academics. He would never have been allowed onto the high school football team without adequate grades. He could not have gotten a football scholarship to the University of Mississippi without adequate grades. And by extension, Oher would never have been taken by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the NFL draft.

To help him with his class work, the family hired a tutor. That tutor used course work from BYU Independent Study.

The Independent Study program at BYU is based largely online. Each lesson plan is both demanding and flexible -- allowing the student to master the material at his own pace and on his own schedule.

It goes beyond just text and tests. For example, a chemistry class online utilizes a virtual lab. Unlike physical labs on a campus, there are no limitations on how much work a student does in the virtual lab. Nor for that matter, is there any risk of blowing up anything. "It is a little safer," said Steven Park, the Associate Director for Productions with BYU Independent Study. "But still it has the aspect of exploration that you want in an educational experience."

In an online physics course, students can get a CD with a recorded lecture that is as much demonstration as lecture. In the video, a cartoon version of the professor is dropping a coin in the ocean to show the characteristics of waves. In another section, he's standing on the roadside as a car flies past with it's horn blowing -- an illustration of the Doppler Effect.

There are even quizzes disguised as games. It all sounds fun, but Director of Independent Study, Justin Johansen said it is also effective learning. "The courses are challenging. They're engaging. They're able to bring together the right tools to teach the right principles and concepts."

Johansen dismisses any notion that such courses were chosen for Oher because they are easy. "They align carefully with courses that are taught on campus or with state published standards."

The university does not offer online degrees. Rather, it's program is used by students and teachers to fill gaps in their own studies. Any degrees are offered by partner institutions that make their own decisions on the amount of credit given for any particular course from BYU Independent Study.

Johansen said it is a program that has helped lift many lives out of poverty, "If we had some role in this young man bettering his life, I'm absolutely proud of that."

For more on the movie, "The Blind Side" click here.

Are Our Ski Areas in Good Shape?

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:20:17 GMT

The slopes at local ski areas are not exactly brimming with snow, even up little Cottonwood Canyon. In fact, to someone who may live in the valley who doesn't ski, they may think that this is a lot of snow, but for Alta? in November? This is not a great start.

Fortunately snowmaking may save the day! Alta is aiming for a Wednesday open, according to Tyle Jackson one of the public relations specialists there. Brighton, Solitude, Wolf Creek, Snowbird, and now Park City Mountain Resort are also open, but all because of manmade snow exclusively.

Jared Ishkanian of Snowbird Resort indicated that if it wasn't for snowmaking, Snowbird would have not opened at all today.

Our meteorologist Todd Gross sampled the snow and felt it was a icy for now, but pointed out that the two storms this weekend may not be able to build a base of snow for these ski areas, but certainly will improve conditions dramatically. He does feel that local areas will be able to open on their current schedules without a problem, but with limited terrain.

Highland couple tired of bright lights from fire station.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:50:54 GMT

HIGHLAND, Utah (ABC 4 NEWS)-ABC 4 is taking action in Highland where a man says he can't stand the flashing bright lights from a newly built firehouse.

Dan L. Baxter and his wife Mary say the lights are too bright and it’s forcing them to abandon the front part of their house. Baxter says it’s not the view he wanted when he moved in more than 30 years ago to his home at 10859 n 5600 w.

He’s right across the street from a Highland Fire Station. Baxter said,” It parallels a disco in this home when those lights are all on.” They're house is less than 150 feet away from the fire station that sits on well traveled 5600 west.

The Baxter’s say they spent some time in Carbon County tending to Mary's ailing father.
When they came back, construction had already started on the building. They say they didn't have any say in the matter.

The Baxter’s have asked the city to build them a two-foot high berm and staggered trees in front of their house to obstruct their view of the firehouse. Dan L. says he's been putting up with the bright lights for about a year now.

He says it gets old retreating to the back of the house. He says the light, Baxter said,” Comes right through that glass and ii hits this mirror. We've had company over and you can come clear back to here. You can sit right on this fireplace right here. And the lights bounce off that picture right to this spot.”

The Baxter’s say the city originally agreed to pay between 9 and 20-thousand dollars for the berm and the trees. Now the city appears to be backpedaling. ABC 4 hopes to talk to city officials and make sure they keep their word. We’re going to stay on top of this story until we get a resolution for the Baxter’s.

Man arrested for selling bogus drivers licenses

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:22:37 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 News) – A man is busted for making fake drivers licenses.

And it means hundreds of drivers are operating vehicles in the valley illegally.

Authorities arrested Moises Barreiro for operating his business which was called the International Krascar Drivers Club.

His office was located across from the Mexican Consulate on 300 West in Salt Lake City.

In fact, court documents claimed that it was the Mexican Consulate that tipped off authorities.

Inside the Krascar Drivers Club Mexican immigrants allegedly purchased an International Driving Permit.

According to court documents, Barreiro sold a permit for $175 dollars each.

“He then quoted prices for licenses $175 for one year, $225 for two years and $275 for three years,” according to the Utah Attorney General which is prosecuting the case.

"They're only fifteen dollars," said Rolayne Fairclough of AAA Utah which is authorized to sell the permits.

According to the court documents only AAA Automobile Association and the American Automobile Touring Alliance’s National Automobile Club can issue the permits in the United States.

“These are not valid for driving in the United States,” said Fairclough. “They're valid for driving outside of the country. They’re not good here in Utah.”

Yet the Krascar Driver's Club allegedly issued hundreds of these permits to Mexican immigrants.

“Our community is not safe if we have drivers out there that we have no idea from what country they're from, they're age,” said Consuelo Fiero who operates an immigration document service. “They can't even purchase insurance."

Fierro said people use these black market companies out of frustration.

She says new rules by the state's Department of Motor Vehicle Division are making it harder for foreigners to get a drivers license.

“It's difficult for these people to obtain driver's license so they're going to gravitate to purchase false drivers license,” she said.

For now, authorities said Barreiro has put hundreds of illegal drivers out on the road in order to make a quick buck.

“They're preying on people and it’s sad,” Fairclough said. “People are buying something and paying a lot of money that is totally worthless.”

Barreiro remains in the Salt Lake County jail and on Friday was charged with ten counts of communications fraud.

GETTING RESULTS: Donors step forward to buy new shoes for kids

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:18:00 GMT

WEST VALLEY CITY (ABC 4 News) - 125 pairs of shoes and nearly $2,300 later, kids at majestic elementary school in West Jordan are one step closer to having new shoes this winter.

On Friday, kids in stocking feet got their feet sized for new shoes.

One man, an anonymous donor, pitched in $1,100 to help foot the bill.

Majestic Elementary Principal Noel Grabl says, “You know, it's just been amazing. Our office all this week, everyday we've just had tears just tears of amazement at the ability for people to step up and help our students.”

Next week, teachers will go shopping for shoes. They say each child in the school should be able to get a new pair of footwear.

If you want to donate to Majestic Elementary, you can go directly to the school at 7450 South Redwood Road, or email us at news@abc4.com.

Rock event tonight promotes responsible drinking

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:09:15 GMT

MURRAY, UT (ABC 4 News) - A local rock band is singing their message loud tonight: "Don't drink a drive."

The band, Hour 13, helped organize a "Night Out Against DUI Tonight." It's an event to promote responsible drinking.

Starting at 9 p.m., several bands will perform at Five Monkeys in Murray, and several companies are pitching in to make it easier to make it home safely, including half price cab rides. Both Yellow Cab and Ambassador taxi are offering that price. Cartow is offering $25 dollar tows that will get you and your car home.

Also, SLC Ink Tattoo is giving away $50 and $100 dollar gift certificates that will be passed out on stage.

Woman falls to her death at SLC apartment high rise

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:04:00 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - An elderly woman fell to her death on Friday from a 14th floor apartment balcony.

Police say the woman in her 60s might have been watering plants and reached to far when she fell.

The fall happened at 1966 South 200 East in Salt Lake City.

Stay tuned to ABC 4 News and ABC4.com for more on this story.

FREE FRIDAYS 11/20: Some cool stuff...and it's all free!

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Freebie number one: Renaissance Academy of Hair Design is giving away free haircuts for first time visitors. Provo's premier hair students will be giving free cuts every Friday from 9 to 5 for men, women and children. You can sport your new 'do just in time for the holidays!
Next up? With the recent storm, does your car need a wash? "Firehouse Car Wash" locations are giving you a free wash during college football season. Just go the next business day after either BYU or University of Utah wins one of their games!
Freebie number three: if holiday stress is bringing you down, here's the perfect escape! Malstrom Salon, located right across from Trolley Square is giving away all sorts of free Aveda spa treatments...including a free travel shampoo and conditioner, a free hand massage, a free make-up touch....even a comforting cup of tea!
If that's not enough of an escape...how bout this for a little retreat? Ogden's popular Alaskan Inn is giving away one night free stay when you book a second night. That's a 200 dollar value! Just give the Inn a call to request your Friday freebie. Nights must be booked consecutively...and Fridays excluded. Offer lasts until December 25th.
Be "hip and humble" this holiday season! Sugarhouse and Bountiful's hottest boutique, "Hip and Humble," is making gift-giving easy this holiday season. They're throwing in this free french soap in any one of six flavors for purchases over $10 ...and for purchases over $50, they're giving this holiday scented candle! Again, for ABC4 viewers only.
Freebie number six? Looking for something fun to do with the kids this weekend? Take em' to the Grizzlies game this Sunday at 4pm. Kids under 12 entering the arena will receive a free coupon for a free hot dog, soft drinks and even chips!

Appointments still available for H1N1 vaccine in Davis County

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:20:18 GMT

BOUNTIFUL, Utah (ABC 4 News) - The Davis County Health Department still has plenty of tickets available for its upcoming vaccination clinics. Tickets can be picked up until 6:00 p.m. Friday night at these two locations:

Bountiful Regional Center
835 North 400 East
North Salt Lake

Legacy Events Center
151 South 1100 West
Farmington

Tickets are for a specific time and date. Most of the tickets for the Saturday clinic are already taken, but plenty remain for Monday (November 23rd) and Tuesday (November 24th).

The vaccinations are for county residents who are in one of the "at risk" groups:

- Pregnant
- A caregiver or household contact of a child younger than 6 months.
- Age 6 months to 24 years.
- A health care or emergency medical services worker.
- Anyone age 24 to 64 who has a health condition associated with higher risk of medical complications from influenza. These health conditions include heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes, neurologic and neuromuscular disorders or a weakened immune system.