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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, May 17-19, 2017 Mormon church is pulling older teens out of Boy Scouts By BRADY McCOMBS Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY — The Mormon church, the biggest sponsor of Boy Scout troops in the United States, announced last week it is pulling as many as 185,000 older youngsters from the organization as part of an effort to start its own scouting-like program. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said the move wasn’t triggered by the Boy Scouts of America’s decision in 2015 to allow gay troop leaders, since Mormon-sponsored troops have remained free to operate according to their religious teachings. Instead, the church said it wanted a new, simplified program more closely tailored to Mormon teenagers. Boys ages 14 to 18 will no longer participate in Boy Scouts starting next year, according to the church. The Boy Scouts said the decision will affect 130,000 teens; the church put the number at 185,000. About 280,000 Mormon boys ages 8 to 13 will remain in the Scouts while the church continues to develop its own program, the Mormons said. The Boy Scouts put the number at 330,000. The loss is only a fraction of the 2.3 million youths in the Boy Scouts of America, but the organization has been grappling with declining membership for years and has enjoyed an unusually close bond with the Mormon church for more than a century. Joining the Boy Scouts is practically automatic among Mormon boys, with the church covering the cost of troops for congregations and strongly encouraging participation. Boy Scouts of America spokeswoman Effie Delimarkos said the organization is saddened by the decision but understands the church’s desire to customize a program. For years, the church has been working to create a scouting-like program it could use around the world, since more than half of its nearly 16 million members are outside the United States. Scouting is available only in the U.S. and Canada. The church did not provide a timeline for the rollout of the program for younger age groups. Like other conservative religions, the Mormon church opposes gay marriage and teaches A-3 The Park Record that being in a homosexual relationship is a sin. The church initially said it was “deeply troubled” by the Boy Scouts’ policy change on gays but stayed with the organization after receiving assurances it could appoint troop leaders according to its own religious and moral values. Despite worries that the policy change would cause Boy Scouts membership to dip even further, the organization reported a strong 2016, with the number of Scouts close to stabilizing after a prolonged decline. The vast majority of units affiliated with conservative religious denominations have remained in the fold, still free to exclude gay adults. In a statement, the church said that the Scouts’ programs for teenagers 14 to 18 have historically been difficult to implement with the religion, and that the new program will be tailored to foster Mormon teenagers’ “spiritual, social, physical and intellectual” development. Mormon teenagers who want to continue working toward the Eagle Scout rank will be able to that on their own while also participating in the new program, said church spokesman Eric Hawkins. CLOSED THURSDAY, MAY 18TH FOR A PRIVATE DINNER FUNCTION IN THE MOOD FOR A GREAT BURGER LUNCH? ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY SALAD BAR WITH ANY OF OUR HAND-SHAPED, GROUND IN-HOUSE CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF BURGERS! OFFERING A 30% DISCOUNT ON ALL DINNER ENTREES DURING THE OFF SEASON. (Not valid with any other promotions. Please mention these offers to your wait staff when ordering) (435)649-8060 Prospector Square 2093 Sidewinder Drive www.grubsteak.com grubsteak@xmission.com Reservations gladly accepted Lawmakers urge Trump to avoid a partisan pick for Comey’s job Utah’s Sen. Mike Lee offers a suggestion By HOPE YEN Associated Press WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump considers a replacement for fired FBI Director James Comey, lawmakers are urging the president to steer clear of appointing any politicians. The advice came Sunday amid more criticism over Trump’s dismissal of Comey during an FBI probe of Russia’s meddling with last year’s election and any ties to the Trump campaign. James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, said the Founding Fathers created three co-equal branches of government with checks and balances, but with Trump as president, that was now “eroding.” “I think, in many ways, our institutions are under assault, both externally — and that’s the big news here, is the Russian interference in our election system,” Clapper said When asked, “Internally, from the president?” Clapper responded, “Exactly.” The White House had no immediate comment. No White House aide appeared on the Sunday news shows, leaving Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, to defend Trump. “The president is the CEO of the country. He can hire and fire whoever he wants,” she said. Lawmakers from both parties reprimanded Trump for his actions, which included shifting explanations from the White House for Comey’s dismissal and an ominous tweet by Trump that warned Comey against leaks to the press because Trump may have “tapes” of their conversations. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said selecting an FBI agent to lead the agency would allow the nation to “reset.” He dismissed as less desirable exFBI agent and former Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the No. 2 Republican in the Senate. “It’s now time to pick somebody who comes from within the ranks, or has such a reputation that has no political background at all that can go into the job on Day 1,” said Graham, R-S.C. “The president has a chance to clean up the mess he mostly created,” Graham said, adding: “I have no evidence that the president colluded with the Russians at all ... but we don’t know all the evidence yet.” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, continued to argue that the president should consider Merrick Garland, the federal judge nominated to the Supreme Court last year by President Barack Obama but who was denied a hearing by Republicans. A former top aide to Sen. Mitch McConnell, Josh Holmes, said that McConnell is interested in the suggestion. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said the new FBI director should be someone “not of partisan background. Declining to comment on a Garland nomination, Schumer left open the possibility that Democrats might withdraw support for a new FBI director unless the Justice Department names a special prosecutor for the Russia probe. Under Senate rules, Republi- cans could confirm an FBI director with 51 votes. Republicans hold 52 seats in the chamber to Democrats’ 48. Calling Trump’s remarks about possible taped conversations “outrageous,” Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said his panel or another committee would “absolutely” subpoena such tapes. “We have got to make sure that these tapes, if they exist, don’t mysteriously disappear,” Warner said. The blowback against the firing of Comey angered the increasingly frustrated president, who made the decision after consulting only a small group of advisers. Trump has openly vented his frustration with the media and Democrats on Twitter, musing about canceling press briefings and arguing that it’s difficult for aides to know his thinking. The administration has interviewed at least eight candidates to replace Comey, just over half of the 14 being considered. Trump has said a decision could come before he leaves Friday for the Mideast and Europe, his first overseas trip as president. He was also set to welcome foreign leaders to the White House, with Turkey’s President on Tuesday and President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia on Thursday. Clapper and Schumer made their comments on CNN’s “State of the Union”; Graham spoke on NBC’s “Meet the Press”; Haley and Warner appeared on ABC’s “This Week”; and Warner spoke on “Fox News Sunday” along with Lee and Holmes. Associated Press writers Catherine Lucey, Sadie Gurman and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. PARK CITY SOCCER CLUB Competitive Team Tryouts Girls & Boys ages 7 - 19 2017/18 Soccer Season Trailside Park, Park City May 22 - 25 for players born 2010 - 2008 May 30 - June 2 for players born 2007 - 1999 Visit www.parkcitysoccer.org for the specific tryout schedule for each age group • Pre-registration strongly recommended, visit www.parkcitysoccer.org for details • Questions? Contact Coaching Director Bob Martin at bobmartinpc@hotmail.com or 435.655.5766 Watch for our Youth Academy 2017/18 Programs beginning in September Develop a child’s love of the game - HAVE FUN - Introduce Technical Development • Questions? Boys Academy Director Matt Terwillegar: mattpc94@gmail.com Girls Academy Director Mara Discoe: mararachelrabin@yahoo.com Scholarships are available/ Becas disponibles • For more information, contact parkcitysoccerclub@gmail.com Para español, contacto Carmela Foote al 801.910.7337 o carmela.foote@gmail.com www.parkcitysoccer.org LOWEST PRICE CONDO PER SQUARE FOOT IN BEAR HOLLOW 3 bed, 2 bath condo perfect for ski or summer, ideally located on main floor. Easily accessible and steps away from hiking trails, hot tub, club house and pool. High ceilings, welcoming kitchen and open living area with an en suite master and one shared bath. Private patio. Pristine condition and ready for immediate move in; offered with most furnishings seen. 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