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Show Utah Press Association Tear Sheets ] 521 East 3900 South Suite 100 Salt Lake City. UT 84124 AN E D I T I O N OF PRIDE PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID SPANISH FORK, UTAH PERMIT NO. 2 & PR OG RES S The Soaiiish Fork News J L LL O O CC AA LL LL YY OO W\ N E D A N D O P E R A T E D WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2008 VOL. 3 / NO. 13 50* ON PATROL Salem's drug-sniffing do; assists So. County cops Hilarie Orman STAFF WRITER The Salem police department has a new drug expert, a native of Holland with remarkable powers to detect illicit substances. Dizzy is a drug-sniffing dog who recently completely an intensive training course covering a panoply of drugs. Her partner on the force is officer Matt Bell, and her attended the training course with Dizzy, who is now on patrol. We caught up the duo as they started the late night shift at the Salem police station. Dizzy responds to standard obedience commands in Dutch, that being her native language. She is three years old, of the Dutch shepherd breed. Officer Bell says that she is a very intelligent dog with a driven personality that is important in police work. She can patiently explore a scene, separating a confusing array of smells into individual components and signaling the discovery of illicit drugs. Her body language communicates drug discovery, and her attentive stance can be probable cause for a car or locker search. Dizzy only started her duties in the last few weeks, and so sensitive is her nose that she has already detected the residual presence of drugs at some locations.The Salem police force decided to acquire the drug-sniffing capability to deal with increasing drug use in south Utah County. Their dog is called on to assist neighboring cities. Dizzy works with officers both in dealing with situations in which drug presence is likely, and also in scanning public areas such as schools. Bell explained that the physiology of a dog's olfactory system has significant differences from that of a human's. The longer the nose, the more scent sensing cells, and more cells make the animal more sensitive to even slight chemical presence. In addition to this, dogs can sense a wider range of chemicals than humans can because they have more types of chemical receptors programmed into their noses. Dizzy is polite and humble about her abilities. Bell said that she is, like all dogs, protective of those she trusts, but was well-behaved and calm during the flash photography session. She seemed happy to be employed in Utah. \ Christene Choate / Spanish Fork News CELEBRITY: Did the Spanish Fork royalty want their photo with the Easter Bunny or was it the other way around? Pictured, left to right, are Shalee Lewis, first attendant; Diana Brandon, Miss Spanish Fork; and Alina Haycock, fourth attendant. For more photos of the annual Chamber Easter Egg Hunt, see pages A6-A8. Courtesy photo / Dale Cressman DO YOUR DUTY: Pictured left to right are Ciint Argyle, Mrs. Paul Jensen, Jared Jensen, Joel Harmer, Roen Griffiths. Scout honored for saving dad's life Hilarie Orman / Spanish Fork News ON THE JOB: Salem Officer Matt Bell works with Dizzy. The Boy Scouts of America awarded its Honor Medal to Jared Jensen, a Salem Boy Scout, at the annual Palmyra District awards banquet on March 13. The Honor Medal is awarded to a scouting youth or adult who has demonstrated unusual heroism and skill in averting, saving, or attempting to save a life at considerable personal risk. Jared, an Eagle Scout in Salem's Varsity Team 866, was 15 years old when he saved his father from being crushed by a horse. Jensen and his father, Paul, were climbing a riverbank on horseback when the elder Jensen's animal slipped into the river, then rolled on top of him. The horse thrashed to regain its feet as it pinned down Paul in the river. At considerable risk to himself, Jared calmly maneuvered the panicked horse so that his father would not be trampled or killed. After leading his semi-conscious father out of the current of the river and dragging him 18-feet upstream, Jared sought medical help by calling 911. Jared then waited for the ambulance so he could lead paramedics to his father. Paul Jensen suffered a broken back, an "exploded" femur, internal bleeding, broken ribs and other injuries. According to the Boy Scouts of America, Jared's "determination, love, and courage, coupled with his personal preparation" led to Paul Jensen's survival. i The Palmyra District made three other special awards. Clint Argyle of the Spanish Fork 9th Ward was recognized with a "Do a Good Turn Daily Award" for his service to the Timberline Youth Leadership Training program, including four years as the program's scoutmaster. Roen Griffiths of Salem was also honored for his service to the Timberline program. Joel Harmer was awarded a "Do a Good Turn Daily Award" for serving boys in sports and scouting. The District recognized Awards of Merit, 71 Second Miler Awards, and numerous Certificates of Merit. The Palmyra District serves Utah National Parks Council boy scouts in Spanish Fork and Salem. t |