Nominees announced for 1st District Juvenile Court vacancy
SALT LAKE CITY – The 1st District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for a vacancy on the 1st District Juvenile Court. The vacancy results from the confirmation of Judge Angela Fonnesbeck to the First District Court, September 16, 2019. The 1st Judicial District includes Box Elder, Cache, and Rich counties.
The nominees for the vacancy are: Elizabeth Ferrin, attorney, Office of Guardian ad Litem; Bryan Galloway, attorney, Law Office of Bryan Galloway; Paul Gosnell, attorney, Hillyard Anderson & Olsen, P.C.; Malone Molgard, partner, Molgard Law Offices PLLC, attorney, Snowville Town, attorney, Box Elder County Public Defender Association; Rick Westmoreland, deputy county attorney, Davis County Attorney’s Office.
Written comments can be submitted to the 1st District Judicial Nominating Commission at judicialvacancies@utah.gov or Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, P.O. Box 142330, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2330. The deadline for written comments is noon January 20, 2020. The Nominating Commission may request further information or conduct an investigation of the nominees after reviewing public comments. After the public comment period, the names will be sent to Gov. Gary R. Herbert, who will have 30 days to make an appointment. Gov. Herbert’s appointee is subject to confirmation by the Utah
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Hi Jim,
A new study tracked the progress in reducing the number of drunk driving fatalities in the U.S., Siegfried and Jensen explored the percentage change in accidents from 2004 to 2018 by state. According to the study, Utah's rate of -29.4% fell short from reaching the national average of -35%.
If you're interested in considering this study, I've included the press release below as it provides a nice overview of the main findings.
Please do let me know if you have any questions. I'm also happy to connect you with someone from Siegfried & Jensen if you'd like to set up an interview.
Cheers,
José
TENNESSEE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND MARYLAND REVEALED AS
STATES WITH HIGHEST PERCENTAGE DROP OF DUI FATALITIES IN THE U.S.
· A new study has ranked all U.S. states based on the number of fatal DUI crashes per 100,000 drivers from 2004 to 2018, in order to reveal those with the most progress.
· Connecticut was the only state in the U.S. who saw an increase in drunk driving fatalities.
Having the strictest and toughest policies on DUI does not guarantee having the highest drop of DUI fatalities in the U.S., new research from Siegfried & Jensen reveals. By analyzing each state's drunk driving fatalities statistics from 2014 to 2018, the study measured the progress done by each state. In previous research from Siegfried & Jensen, Minnesota was ranked as the state with the strictest DUI laws. Unfortunately, Minnesota with the strictest DUI laws, and Utah with the lowest B.A.C. limit did not make it in the top 10 states with the most progress.
Tennessee was found to have the largest percentage change in drunk driving fatalities from 2014 to 2018. In 2014 it was recorded that there were 10.3 drunk driving fatalities per every 100,000 drivers. In 2018, that number drastically changed to 4.4 drunk driving fatalities per every 100,000 drivers in the state. With a -57.1% change in the number of drunk driving fatalities, Tennessee is the state with the most progress.
According to the data, the 10 U.S. states with the highest drop in percentage of drunk driving fatalities are as follows:
State
Score (out of a total of 100)
Tennessee
-57.1%
District of Columbia
-55.1%
Maryland
-52.7%
Mississippi
-52.1%
Delaware
-51.7%
Kentucky
-50.2%
Arkansas
-49.7%
Rhode Island
-48.2%
South Dakota
-43.7%
New Mexico
-41.3%
On the other hand, Connecticut was the only state in the U.S. that made no progress, and instead increased the number of drunk driving fatalities from 2014 to 2018.
According to the data, the 10 U.S. states with the least progress in drunk driving fatalities are below:
State
Score (out of a total of 100)
Michigan
-18.8%
North Carolina
-18.7
Nebraska
-16.9
New Hampshire
-16.7%
Iowa
-13.7%
Texas
-9.5%
Oregon
-8.7%
Indiana
-7.1%
Alaska
-3.8%
Connecticut
7.1%
- ENDS -
For more information, please contact:
José Fausto, Distilled
E jose.faustomartinez@distilled.net
T 206.965.9265
About Siegfried & Jensen:
Siegfried & Jensen is a personal injury law firm that has been helping the people of Utah and its surrounding states since it launched in 1990. The firm specializes in automobile and semi-truck accidents and injuries, such as bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, drunk driving accidents and accidental death.
Methodology
The rate of fatal drunk driving accidents (DUI rate) was determined as the raw number of fatal alcohol-related (BAC > 0.08) crashes for every 100,000 licensed drivers in that state.
Percent of change in DUI rate was calculated as the simple percent difference between the rate in 2004 and 2018, the latest year for which the data was available.
Data on fatal crashes was taken from the Fatality Reporting System database of the National Highway Safety Administration. Data on the number of registered drivers was compiled from the Highway Statistics series produced by the Federal Highway Administration.
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AEMA Applauds CEQ Proposal to Update NEPA
Spokane Valley, WA - The American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA) applauds the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) for today's much-needed proposal to modernize and clarify its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. As one of the first environmental laws in this country, NEPA was landmark legislation, signaling the dawning of environmental awareness and the first step down the path of enacting what has become a comprehensive and effective federal and state statutory framework to protect the environment.
"Simply put, NEPA is broken. While a NEPA analysis has become 'standard operating procedure' for our members, it also has become increasingly more cumbersome, time consuming and expensive," said AEMA Executive Director Mark Compton. "NEPA is no longer the planning and decision-making tool it was designed to be. Instead, it has become the tool used by obstructionist groups who oppose responsible and lawful mineral development on federal public lands. Reforming the NEPA process and creating a more efficient permitting system are critical to improving the competitiveness of the domestic mining industry, job creation, and decreasing our reliance on foreign sources of energy and minerals."
AEMA will submit detailed comments on the proposed rule during the comment period.
Background:
The White House Council on Environmental Quality today issued a proposed rule to modernize its NEPA regulations, which were issued more than four decades ago. If finalized, the proposed rule would comprehensively update the 1978 regulations.
There have been more NEPA lawsuits than under any other environmental statute. Delays in reviews and decision-making can hold back the American economy, slowing the development of critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, highways, transmission lines, and energy and mineral projects, and deters future investment in projects that will enhance quality of life across the country.
CEQ's proposed rule would codify important aspects of the Trump Administration's One Federal Decision policy, including establishing a two year time limit and improving agency coordination through development by the lead agency of a joint schedule; preparation of a single EIS and joint record of decision; and procedures to elevate and resolve disputes that could lead to delays. Additionally, CEQ has proposed provisions setting presumptive page limits, and for determining the appropriate level of NEPA review, ensuring timely submission of relevant information to inform decision-making, and facilitating the use of existing State, Tribal, and local studies, analyses, and environmental documents, among other things.
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About AEMA:
American Exploration & Mining Association is a 125 year old, 1,800 member, national association representing the minerals industry. AEMA is the recognized national voice for exploration, the junior mining sector, maintaining access to public lands, and represents the entire mining life cycle, from exploration through production to reclamation and closure. AEMA's 126th Annual Meeting is in Sparks, NV from November 30 - December 4, 2020. Learn more about AEMA by visiting:
www.miningamerica.org.
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Governor appoints Jeremiah Humes to the Seventh District Court
SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 9, 2020) – Gov. Gary R. Herbert has appointed Jeremiah Humes as a judge for the Seventh District Court.
“Jeremiah Humes is an experienced individual who will greatly serve the seventh district courts,” Gov. Herbert said. “I know Jeremiah will be a tremendous asset and his skills and expertise will serve him well.”
For the past year, Humes has been serving as the attorney for Carbon County. He established his own practice in 2004 where he practiced municipal law. He also practiced at Johnson & Stone from 2003 to 2004. He holds a J.D. from the Washburn University School of Law in Kansas and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Utah State University.
“I am grateful and humbled by the confidence the nominating commission and Gov. Herbert have placed in me,” Humes said. “If confirmed, I will serve the people of the seventh district to the best of my ability.”
This appointment is subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.
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“Slay Cancer with Poker”
raises the stakes with additional celebrity players
to benefit the Tyler Robinson Foundation
Charity poker event in partnership with Charity Series of Poker
will take place at Palms Casino Resort Saturday, Jan. 18
LAS VEGAS (Jan. 9, 2020) – Poker superstar Daniel Negreanu, Austin "Chumlee" Russell from Pawn Stars, WSOP bracelet winner Dutch Boyd and members from Imagine Dragons, are all in for “Slay Cancer with Poker,” the upcoming charity poker event in partnership with the Charity Series of Poker to benefit the Tyler Robinson Foundation (TRF), the nonprofit organization of the GRAMMY® Award-winning band Imagine Dragons dedicated to supporting children battling childhood cancer. The $300 buy-in charity poker event with $100 re-buys and $100 add-ons will take place at View Nightclub at Palms Casino Resort on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020.
“Truth Be Told” star Mekhi Phifer and horror icon Kane Hodder will also be in attendance along with other surprise celebrity guests. Comedian Joe Stapleton will emcee the charity poker tournament, while other poker personalitiesslated to attend the event include World Series of Poker bracelet winner Chris Wallace and Matt Stout. Additional participating celebrities and personalities will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Slay Cancer with Poker” will begin with an open bar reception and hors d’oeuvres at 3:30 p.m. PST. Beginning at 5:00 p.m. PST, players can compete to win the grand prize of a $10,000 2020 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event seat. Additionally, there will be $1,000 cash bonuses for purchasing the most rebuys and for the chip leader, bounty prizes, and many other prizes including a silent auction and 50/50 cash raffle drawing.
All net proceeds from the event will benefit TRF. TRF has raised more than $10 million to support families battling childhood cancer by providing grants to offset the many unseen costs associated with treatment. More than 1,000 families have benefited from TRF support. The Foundation continues to grow its efforts for families through a number of awareness and fundraising initiatives.
Players can get more information, pre-register online, donate, or bid on silent auction items from anywhere in the world at TRFCSOP.givesmart.com.
Sponsors for TRF’s “Slay Cancer with Poker” charity event include All American Dave’s Fit Food Truck, Beckwith Printing, Brad Garrett's Comedy Club, Gaetano Brand, Global Poker Index, JB Public Relations, Klarity Life, Lake Las Vegas Water Sports, Las Vegas ATV Tours, PokerNews, Professional Massage Inc., Revolt Tattoos, Right Touch Trophies, RunGoodGear, Sofa King Creative, Spade Sun Shades, Ultimate Boat Racing Experience, Vegas Sports Shop and VerStandig Law.
For more information, including poker rules, sponsorship and volunteering opportunities, please contact Kim Gradisher at kim@trf.org and Ashley Burney at ashley@trf.org.
###
About the Tyler Robinson Foundation
The Tyler Robinson Foundation (TRF) helps strengthen families financially and emotionally as they cope with the tragedy of a pediatric cancer diagnosis by providing grants specifically to offset out-of-pocket life expenses. TRF is the nonprofit organization of the Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum selling band Imagine Dragons. TRF meets a critical need in communities across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe and Malaysia. Each year, one in 285 children are diagnosed with cancer. While many pediatric cancer organizations focus on growing awareness and support for families with the physical and emotional toll of a diagnosis, the huge financial hardship cancer treatment places on families is rarely discussed. More than 85-percent of every dollar TRF raises goes right to families in need. For more information, visit TRF.org and follow TRF
---------------- on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Gov. Herbert announces energy advisor and Office of Energy Development Executive Director Laura Nelson to retire
SALT LAKE CITY (Jan. 9, 2020) — Gov. Gary R. Herbert announced today that Laura Nelson, his energy advisor and executive director of the Governor’s Office of Energy Development (OED) is retiring after more than five years of service in his administration, effective Jan. 9.
Previously, Nelson served as energy advisor to Utah’s previous Gov. Jon M. Huntsman. She has also served as a technical advisor for the Utah Division of Public Utilities. She has served the state of Utah for over a decade. Throughout her term in her current role, Nelson was proactive in defining and supporting balanced and sustainable energy solutions, including providing congressional testimony, forging regional, national and international partnerships, and working across counties and cities to achieve lasting outcomes for citizens near and far.
“Dr. Nelson is truly an unparalleled leader. Her tireless dedication has proven critical in ensuring Utah’s energy and minerals economy continues to thrive in the face of a rapidly evolving landscape,” said Gov. Herbert. “I have greatly appreciated her industry expertise and ability to bring diverse stakeholders together to deliver wise policy, responsible development, and innovative solutions that can advance our economic and environmental success today and for generations to come.”
Nelson’s major accomplishments include providing planning leadership for Utah’s energy future (Utah’s 10 Year Strategic Energy Plan, Utah’s Energy Action Plan to 2020, etc.), preserving Utah’s autonomy in the wake of regionalization, advancing a first-of-its-kind net-metering agreement for the solar industry, expanding alternative and Tier 3 fuels to improve connectivity and Utah’s air quality, launching the nation’s leading energy and minerals education platform, forging regional, national and international energy agreements, and providing an attractive technology and business environment for two indelible projects to be realized in rural Utah, including the $140 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish a geothermal research laboratory in Milford, and a partnership between Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas and Magnum Development to build the world’s largest renewable energy storage project in Delta.
“It has been my privilege to work alongside Governor Herbert and help to realize the vision for powering an energy future for everyone through the production of affordable, reliable, sustainable and clean opportunities,” said Dr. Nelson. “With outstanding state leadership through his administration and at the legislature, along with a talented technical team, we have been able to grow the Governor’s Office of Energy Development into a premier policy model that is being mirrored by a dozen states nationwide today.”
Nelson has also elevated Utah and OED with her leadership on several boards and committees. She has served as vice-chair and board member of National Association of State Energy Officials, chair of the Utah Energy Infrastructure board, chair to the Western Interstate Energy Board, co-chair of the NARUC-NASEO Task Force on Comprehensive Electricity Planning, and as a board member of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (among others).
Prior to joining Gov. Herbert’s administration, Nelson served as the vice president of government and regulatory affairs for Potash Ridge Corp., the vice president of energy and environmental development at Red Leaf Resources, energy policy advisor to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, and a technical consultant to the Utah Division of Public Utilities.
Rob Simmons, deputy director of OED, will serve as interim energy advisor and executive director of OED effective tomorrow, Jan. 10. Simmons comes to the position with extensive energy policy, development and technology experience, previously serving as associate director of the Energy Innovation Program of the Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative; and, vice president of the Oquirrh Institute, which was founded by Gov. Mike Leavitt.
================
DENVER—Today, the White House announced a proposal to significantly change how federal agencies would handle environmental reviews for energy and infrastructure projects. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), signed into law half a century ago, directs agencies to evaluate and mitigate the environmental impacts of development and requires extensive consultation with local communities before projects can proceed. The new proposal would allow agencies to weaken NEPA reviews and ignore the climate impacts of fossil fuel development. In response, the Center for Western Priorities released the following statement from Policy Director Jesse Prentice-Dunn:
"When it comes to climate change, the Trump administration is burying its head in an oil well to ensure corporations can drill and mine every corner of our country.
"Weakening our nation’s bedrock environmental law will only help drilling and mining corporations at the expense of local communities, clean water, and wildlife. For three years, the Trump administration has done everything in its power to shut the public out, ignore the impacts of climate change, and ram new drilling and mining projects through the permitting process. Today’s announcement blatantly continues their track record of doing the oil and gas industry’s bidding.
"This attempt to weaken environmental reviews will only open future drilling, mining, and pipeline projects to legal defeat. Courts have increasingly rejected the Interior Department’s efforts to offer widespread oil and gas leases without considering climate impacts. Instead of heeding those warnings, the Trump administration is embracing climate denial."
Clients have paid Secretary Bernhardt’s former firm $12 million to lobby the agency he now controls [Center for Western Priorities]
The Drilling and Mining Industry Wish List [Center for Western Priorities]
Bureau of Land Management forced to pull oil and gas leases due to inadequate environmental analysis [Salt Lake Tribune]
For more information, visit westernpriorities.org. To speak with an expert on public lands, contact Aaron Weiss at 720-279-0019 or aaron@westernpriorities.org. Sign up for Look West to get daily public lands and energy news sent
Utah students to be honored for winning investment strategies at January 10 awards banquet
State Treasurer David Damschen to recognize 32 Utah students and teachers for winning The Stock Market Game™, a statewide financial education competition
SALT LAKE CITY – January 9, 2020 – Students, teachers, government officials and local business leaders will celebrate the 32 winning students and teachers of the Stock Market Game™ fall 2019 statewide competition during an awards banquet on January 10. The banquet, hosted by Utah State Treasurer David Damschen, will feature student speeches, information about the competition and opportunities to learn more about financial responsibility.
Ridgeline High School student Hunter Bingham’s team placed third in the high school division. Bingham said, “We learned to avoid the allure of winning in the stock market over a short period of time because so many other teams in our class lost.” The Ridgeline High School team discovered that short-term trading is not a sound strategy to use in real-world investing. Bingham added, “Outside of the Stock Market Game, we plan on making good use of tax-benefited investment vehicles, seeking diversified portfolios and avoiding overpaying for active management.”
The Stock Market Game exposes youth to the stock market and gives teachers an opportunity to teach students important investing principles, such diversification, asset allocation, exponential growth and risk tolerance. HighMark Charter School student Matthew Behmer said, “Playing the game helped us improve our teamwork and decision-making, as we discussed companies as a team and decided which ones to invest in. We also learned about real-world situations and economic concepts.”
The Stock Market Game is a motivating curriculum complement to many subjects, including personal finance, math, social studies, economics, business education, college and career awareness, computer tech and marketing. Lucas Fullmer and Kobe Woodyatt of Legacy Jr. High School placed third in the middle school/jr. high division. Fullmer said, “It’s inspired me to think about careers in the business world and reminded me that you can be successful at anything if you just put your mind to it.”
In fall 2018, the Utah Office of State Treasurer assumed the responsibility of administering the game and the complementary InvestWrite competition, a writing contest that builds off of concepts learned through the Stock Market Game. In spring 2019, Abby Bowler, a former student in Syd Lott’s financial literacy class at Skyline High School, placed second in the national high school level and first in the state. In her essay, Bowler proposed an investment portfolio to “support refugees and asylum seekers worldwide.” The spring 2019 InvestWrite prompt for high school students, grades 9-12, focused on sustainable investing and creating a hypothetical ESG (environmental, social and governance) fund that would deliver long-term social and financial returns. Nearly 1,800 essays were submitted in the high school division. Treasurer Damschen presented Bowler and Lott with prizes in the Treasurer’s Office at the State Capitol.
“The Stock Market Game and InvestWrite competitions pique student interest in important concepts taught in the classroom by adding an element of competition,” Treasurer Damschen said. “I appreciate the incredible efforts of teachers and students to improve financial knowledge, and I look forward to the opportunity to celebrate their success.”
The awards banquet will be held at noon in the Bryce Ballroom at the Sheraton Salt Lake City Hotel. Registration check-in will be at 11:30 a.m. This event is open to the media. Due to capacity limitations, other guests may attend by invitation only.
You can find a list of the winners of the Stock Market Game and InvestWrite competition at: https://treasurer.utah.gov/financial-literacy/stock-market-game/recent-winners/.
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SALT LAKE CITY—Today Sutherland Institute President and CEO Rick Larsen announced there will be significant additions to the organization’s Board of Directors. Larsen said three new members will be announced in January 2020, starting with retired Maj. Gen. Jeff Burton.
“Jefferson Burton is a leader, historian and patriot,” Larsen said. “His service to our community and this nation is incalculable. Sutherland is honored that he would, at this stage of an illustrious career, share his considerable talents and energy with us. I learned many months ago from General Burton that A New Birth of Freedom [Sutherland’s tagline] is not passive or conceptual – it is about the principles that make us free, including service, hard work, religious liberty and strong families. His commitment to these principles and to the freedom of this great nation will further Sutherland’s mission for years to come.”
“I have great respect for the principles espoused by Sutherland,” Burton said. “I personally recognize the need we have in today’s society to emphasize principled public policy that stresses the importance of faith, our families and free markets. Further, civil dialogue is critical to the maintenance of self-government, and Sutherland is committed to providing opportunities to reinforce open, honest and respectful debate. As a member of the Board of Directors, education will be my No. 1 priority. We need to ensure that our citizens have a firm understanding of the Constitution as the cornerstone of our republic.”
BIO:
General Jeff Burton has served for more than three decades in uniform on active duty status. He has served across the globe to include multiple assignments in Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East and Europe. While serving in Germany, he witnessed the collapse of the Soviet Union and the destruction of the Berlin Wall. Burton was appointed adjutant general of the Utah National Guard in 2012. He was responsible for the readiness and training of over 7,000 soldiers and airmen. Burton has served as a company commander, battalion executive officer and assistant professor of military science at Brigham Young and Utah Valley universities. He commanded the 1457th Engineer Combat Battalion from 2002 to 2005, during which time his unit served in Iraq and participated in the initial ground war, conducting IED-defeat and route-clearance missions. In 2007, Burton was assigned as Assistant Adjutant General-Army and Commander of the Utah Army National Guard. Burton attended BYU’s Reserve Officer Training Corps, where he commissioned in 1984 as the distinguished military graduate. He also has degrees in sociology, educational counseling and strategic studies. Burton retired from his service in 2019.
Additional announcements regarding new members to Sutherland's Board of Directors will be made in the coming weeks.
