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Show j 1 ST LAKE ell?" STE UT 5005 84l0i 50 Wednesday, February 14, 1996 8,No.7 cents a single copy To subscribe call 756-766- 9 Handgun accidents claim two youths with Lehi ties By RUSS DALY City Editor Two young boys are dead, vic- tims of accidental shootings involving weapons from their own homes. The first accident occurred in Lehi on Friday, Feb. 9 at about 11 a.m. Later that day, Lt. Chad Smith, Assistant Chief of the Lehi Police Department, held a press conference to announce that Chip Giles, 13, had been shot while at a 12 year old friend's house in Lehi. Although officers performed CPR, the boy was later pronounced dead at American Fork Hospital. To me it appears accidental," Smith told reporters from newspaper and television media. "It appears they were playing like pointing guns." Smith said that two guns were found at the scene, including a pistol and a revolver, the latter of which was loaded. In addition to the two guns involved in the incident, Smith said that about a dozen weapons were in the home. "You just can't put enough safety precautions on guns," Smith told the reporters as a warning to parents who own guns. There's no question you've got to keep guns locked up, and store guns in one area and ammunition in another." (See safety tips.) He also said that although par semi-automat- ents may train their children in the proper use of guns, their visiting friends may not know about the dangers. He also said that any safety efforts are in vain if the children know where the keys are learn information about the incident. They said that counselors from the school district and from the school would be readying themselves over the weekend to provide students with counseling services where necessary. There may be some who will really need it," said Cox. "We want them to know it's available." Spencer said Monday that an announcement was made to correct any misinformation that might have been given, to let them know that help was available, and to offer suggestions for help in dealing with conflicts among peers. "Show respect and dignity," See SHOOTINGS on Page 3 located. Giles was visiting at the suspect's home when the incident occurred. According to Smith, the suspect should have been in school at Lehi' Junior High School and could provide no reason why he wasn't there. Giles had been attending an alternative school. John Spencer and Kevin Cox, principal and assistant principal, respectively, at the school, also attended the press conference to r O . "1 . . "! r 3 ' ' . If ; ' . Keep guns out of children's hands With the unnecessary deaths of two young boys, the Lehi Police Department has issued the following suggestions for keeping guns out of the hands of children: Lock guns in a reliable gun safe or gun cabinet. lock rather than a key where possiUse a combination-styl- e ble and keep the combination or the keys to yourself. Never store a loaded gun under any circumstances. Even an experienced user could forget that it is loaded. Teach children not to point any weapon at someone, even in fun. Store guns and ammunition in separate locked areas. Dismantle guns whenever possible. Remove bolts from rifles; purchase a locking device for revolvers and weapons. Remember that, although you may teach your own children about gun safety, their friends may not have had such training. "There's nothing worse than dealing with a child that's been shot," said Smith. "I think it's not too far away where there will have to be some accountability for people who leave loaded guns around. It's already there civilly, but it will also become a criminal matter." I y.i V - ? " J ..it ; ... : i ft Photo by Russ Daly Harold Hutchings shows Arva Bone one of the unique items on display at the Hutchings Museum in Lehi this week after a move into the Lehi Memorial Building. Hutchings Museum opens doors Friday The John Hutchings Museum of Natural History is about to open its new doors. Following the renovations in the historic Memorial Building at 55 N. Center St., the artifacts in the museum have been relocated to the new facility and are ready for public viewing. The board of directors has open house to planned a two-da- y allow residents the opportunity to view the collection in its new home. cials. The museum will be open on Friday, Feb. 16 from noon until 8 p.m., and on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. No admission will be charged either day. Donations will still be accepted. cereA special ribbon-cuttin- g mony will also be held on Thursday evening for various dignitaries and invited guests, including state and county offi Much of the work at the building was completed by the veteran's organization in Lehi, who use the basement of the facility for their programs. Remodeling in that area has not only provided work space for the museum, but also additional rooms for the vets. Officials estimated the savings to the city through the use of volunteer labor at about Following the grand opening festivities, regular hours for the museum will be from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Regular admission prices are $2.50 for adults; $2 for senior citizens and for students over 12; and $1.50 for children under 12. Special tours for groups are available with prior also arrangement. For more information, call Lehi advertises for city judge vacancy The ball is now in Lehi City's Court, but the game has been postponed due to lack of a referee. After appointing Lars Jenkins to replace Rick Worthen as Justice Court Judge, the Lehi City Council was told by City Attorney Ken Rushton that they should have advertised the vacancy for the position. "Lars is eminently qualified, based on the qualifications in the statute," Rushton said to the council in an emergency work session held Wednesday, Feb. 7. At the meeting, the attorney explained that the council had two to the position options and publicly advertise the vacancy, re-op- or to proceed with Jenkins' appointment, hoping that there would be no repercussions. The council voted by a narrow margin to advertise the position, despite the fact that they had previously approved the appointment of Jenkins by the same narrow margin. Frances Councilmembers and Comer, Reed Sunderland Robert Fox approved the motion made by Fox; Councilmember Rod Olsen was absent from the meeting, and Councilmember Dee Ray Russon abstained. Lehi City will be accepting applications for the position until See JUDGE on Page 3 Newspaper office closed Monday The newspaper office will be closed Monday, Feb. 19 for the President's Day holiday. News and advertising for the Feb. 21 issue must be turned in by Friday, Feb. 16. However, the deadline for classified ads will remain Tuesday at Noon. 768-718- $150,000. Garrett Gaily Chip Giles Eisenhart at home with a bat or a bow Lehi resident is a standout on the baseball squad and Mountain View as violinist in school orchestra By RUSS DALY City Editor When it comes to baseball, John Eisenhart doesn't fiddle around. And he bats a thousand when it comes to practicing the violin. He started playing the violin at about age three and added the sport of baseball to his interests when he was about five. Now a senior at Mountain View High School, where he plays second base for the Bruins, he was recently chosen as one of the top 25 baseball players from among Utah high school seniors. He played on the Major League Experience team, a group coached by former professional baseball players Vance Law and Mickey Mahler, who organized the team to highlight what they felt was the type of talent available in the state. While on the team they played several junior colleges throughout Utah and they represented the state in the Turkey in Tournament Shootout Phoenix, where they took third. That tournament featured 31 teams from all over the western teams, US, including and a team scouted by the Astros, who won the tournaAll-st- ar ment. In December, they played in in tournament another Anaheim, where they finished fifth among more than 40 teams from throughout the west. John, the son of Tim and Donalee Eisenhart of Lehi, maintains a 3.9 grade point average and has served as an officer in the school orchestra leadership. He has already earned 16 hours of college credit through successful completion of advanced placement classes in calculus, physics, history, chemistry and US government. He has been a member of the National Honor Society for four years and served on the Orrin Youth Hatch Advisory Committee. He would like to continue his education by studying medicine, to become a dermatologist, or sports law to become an agent. A member of the golf team at Lehi High School in eight and ninth grade, as well as at Mountain View, he has been on the Bruin baseball team since ninth grade and was selected for team. He the county all-stwould also like to play college or ar professional baseball if the opportunity arises. "Here's a kid who learned from the time he was very young that it takes practice," said Tim. "He still plays the violin and he practices baseball every day. He's applied that dedication he's learned from his music to baseball and to academics." Tim would get up with his son each morning to practice the violin following the Suzuki method, where parents take an active role in the learning process. Later, John would practice on his own in the mornings before school. In recent years, he has switched from classical music to a fiddle style of playing, and he now studies with Jim Shupe, a National Fiddling Champion. John also plays the mandolin. "We wanted him to enjoy the music and experience it," said Tim. "And he's kept it up and now he's got something fun." John put the same type of dedication into baseball, practic ing the sport each afternoon. He and his father worked with a neighbor to clean up an unused rodeo arena that they now use as an infield. "On his own, he would probably hit 300 balls a night," said Tim, who encouraged John to maintain his violin practicing as well as his good grades. He has written a motto inside his baseball cap that keeps his eyes on those goals: "I will. I can. I am." "It makes me strive to be the best that I can," he explained. "I am going to be the best. That's what I want to try to do no matter what I go into, whether it be school or baseball." Although he admitted there were times he wanted to quit the violin, he said he's grateful for parents who made him keep going. He said he would like to continue that attitude with his own children someday. This year the Mountain View team is using a new motto: "25 guys pulling on the same rope," which was used by the baseball team at the University of Oklahoma, who won the 1994 NCAA World Series. And while he'll be helping the team pull that rope, it seems as if he has a firm grip on his own future. 4 i " , J t tr - vv 1 4 I v T tf i 1 71 If ft ir a j ji r ! i J -- J "2 Photo courtesy Tim Eisenhart John Eisenhart was recognized as one of the top baseball players in the state. |