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Show i i See Story on page Volume 71 C See Story on page t 1 U SDeechiContes See Story on page 3 Price 50 Cents Wednesday, November 4, 1992 Number 44 Public Hearing for Aurora residents on sewer project V The City of Aurora will be holding a Public Hearing on November 12, 1992, to discuss with the residents X- - tfc- - - y I; i w' 't4 v ii!X ,f - - tf.r , I-:- "-' "kj" ; , '. - M, f ' : Vv Z-h- T ,V " :! - Fain and snow make headlines This past week this area finally received some rain and in the higher elevations snow that amounted to 15 to 18 inches up on top of the moutains. The snow has been wet and farmers feel that the moisture being soaked into the ground before it freezes for the winter will be valuable for next years crops and season success. y 4 ZESSESSS gaa3CTi& Olsen found guilty of murder, sentenced five years to life Trial proceedings in 6th district court got underway for Brett Olsen and his charge of the murder of Paul Jensen on September 7, 1991, in a Salina parking lot. The courtroom had about fifty interested onlookers as the proceedings got underway last week. It did not take long for the witnesses to conclude that it was in fact Brett Olsen who stabbed Paul Jensen and ultimately caused his death. Witnesses said that Olsen had been drinking that night in the evening was reported to be looking for and earlier a fight. One witness explained that she was with Paul on the night of the altercation. She explained that Brett and Paul engaged in a private whispering conversation where Brett emerged saying that he didnt drink anymore. At this point Brett slapped him on the face. Paul said that he didnt have to drink to prove anything and this comment was followed by another slap from Brett. At this time the witness explained that Paul then took his hands out of his pockets and defended himself from the next blows. The two tussled to the ground where Paul ended up on top. He head bunted Brett and then got off from him saying "get out of here", and Olsen did leave. The witness then explained that about five minutes later Olsen returned to the scene, skidding his car to a stop in the gravel parking lot She then saw Brett leave his vehicle with a knife held at his side advancing towards Paul. Paul then screamed to the witness that he had been stabbed and he sent her to get the police. She explained that Paul then pulled the knife out of his chest and two of Olsens tires before Olsen was able to drive away. Later in the trial the tone of the courtroom turned as witnesses talked of the physical abuse that Brett Olsen grew up with and the mental and physical injuries that could have played a part with his actions in 1991. After a two day trial, the jury spent about three hours deliberating and they reached the verdict that he was guilty of murder and mentally ill. After the conviction Olsen requested to be sentenced at that time. He stated that it had been a long week and hard on many people. There aint no feelings against anyone in the court room, said Olsen. Judge Tibbs then sentenced him five years to life and stayed the execution. Olsen will go to the state mental hospital until he is proven mentally fit and then will serve the remaining ti Youth in Custody could affect all high schools in the county The Sevier School Board met last week to discuss such problems as the serious impacts on the schools caused by the increasing number of BoysGirls homes in the area. For the most part these homes are located in the south side of the district and most of the impacts are being felt at South Sevier High School. The board read a letter from members of the South Sevier Booster Club, PTA and advisory council that voiced their concerns of the increasing number of BoysGirls Homes moving in and the problems associated with the education of these kids. They collectively agreed that the students from these units have every right to pursue a high school education and that they in fact support the concept of these homes. They understand that some of the enrollees are good students and cause few problems. However, many of these enrollees have backgrounds of behavioral prob lems which are not desirable and tend to create a negative environment for the other students who are sincerely striving to achieve, so stated the letter. For example, we hear of increased incidents where these individuals challenge teachers and other students to fights, also members of a particular Boys Home squaring off with male Navajos students, etc., stated the letter. These kinds of actions we see as being degrading to educational opportunities and a definite threat to the quality of education offered in the South Sevier Schools. The point that these individuals wanted the board of education to look at was that they did not feel it fair and equitable for the school located in the south end of the valley to continue to shoulder the full brunt of the impact of businesses such as these. They felt that this is a district problem that should be addressed and resolved by members of the board to work out a program through the open enrollmentpolicy whereby this burden might eventually be distributed throughout the district. Board member Ruth Jackson explained that the state sponsors one of these homes discussed and with the states involvement certain requirements to attend school are placed upon the enrollees. The state will also hire an individual to oversee these state custody students at school and this has helped the program. The problems coming to the Valley are the homes that are privately run and where no requirement for additionall staffing at the schools they attend is required. And to date, most all of the custody children are attending South Sevier, 22 students right now. The board then discussed the probability of more of these kinds of homes coming into the area and the impact they will have on the schools here. Superintendent Thome said that the lack of funds in California has simply shut down their youth custody program and recently released some 4,000 kids in that program and put back into homes. These homes are the ones that are looking for places to put their children for discipline and education and many of them are coming to Utah where education is less expensive. The board received an informational sheet concerning the students at South Sevier High. At present there are 17 Youth in Custody students. Of the 17,7 have sigopponents, the water bill was blocked from recent pasnificant academic problems they either lack credits to be sage. The bill, having finally cleared Congress earlier this on line for graduation or because they have missed so month, caused California Governor Pete Wilson to fly to much school that they lack the basic skills that they need Nashville, Tenn., to meet with the President and personto be successful. Often these students arrive at the school ally encourage a veto. in the middle of a grading period and bring no current Im very proud of the President that he overcame the or credits. grades California lobby, said Gam, He did what was right and of these problems much time is needed by Because signed the bill. teachers and staff, plus to deal with fighting, negative But the passing of the bill does not automatically classroom attitudes and behavior or lack of effort in guarantee the instant beginning and completion of projects class. time robs positive students of the time and This in Utah. The new bill requires Utah to contribute 35 attention need. And right now they are looking to they percent of the cost to help finance the remaining work on in Custody to come into the area in 20 30 to Youth more the project No one knows where this money will be found. the future. Elden to Laird, Public Affairs Director at According The board advised administration to look at policies the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, the passing that would comply with the laws and they would review of the bill raises the financial ceiling of the Colorado the" next meetine Years of lobbying pay off; Bush signs CUP bill n years ago, work for the Central Utah (CUP), began. Friday, November 30, President Project Bush signed legislation authorizing $922 million to complete the CUP. Already, over $1 billion has been spent onCUPs water system that moves water from the Uintah Mountains to farmers and suburban areas near the Wasatch Front. Water leaders and officials were overjoyed with the Presidents signing of the bill. Im tremendously exIts the best news cited, said Sen. Jake Garn, time. in a had Ive long The senator said he began working on the CUP when he started his political career 25 years ago as a Salt Lake City water commissioner. He finished his term as senator with a speech urging passage of the bill. Because of three years of opposition from California Twenty-seve- h, POOR., ISP Y Continued on plans for the mstallauon of a sewer system. Representatives of Sunrise Engineering, Utah State Department of Environmental Quality, Bond Council, and city officials will be at the meeting to explain m entirety the plan, funding, and grants that are available to help people install the systems with very little expense. The site for the lagoons will be discussed, all proposed improvements, funding options, rates, and to answer any questions that the residents may have. "It is very important that everyone turn out to this meeting," said Vem Fisher, of Sunrise Engineering. The City has gone after and received more than a million dollars in grants and other funding at 0 interest. There will also be funding available to help those with limited incomes, and senior citizens to have the sewer system installed directly to their homes at low - or no cost. It is hoped that this funding can be available to 80 or 90 people to help with this initial expense, Fisher added. There are a lot of residences in Aurora that still use " cesspools - which is breaking the law, Fisher noted. If the residents don't vote to go ahead with the project now, it islikely that it will become mandatory not far down the line that they do so," he added. The officials of Aurora and Sunrise Engineering have been working hard to put the entire package in place. However, they want to do the will of the residents. If, after hearing about the project and funding available, the people of the city decide not to go ahead with the project, then the funding will go on to some other city to use. Residents of Aurora will vote on the issue on Tuesday, November 17th. "This is one of thes best funding packages I've seen in a good many months," said Fischer. "I commend the city of Aurora, on the job they've done to get it all in place, and not it's up to the people of Aurora to make the final decision." All residents of Aurora are urged not to miss this important meeting on November 12. Football game for alumni set The annual North Sevier High School Alumni Football Game will be held Saturday, November 7, at 6 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for Little League Football. Equipment will be issued Friday, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, from 3 to 5 p.m. Anyone interested in participating is asked to contact NSHS or Robby Pierce for more information. Cost will be $20 per person to rent equipment. Teams will be divided with the alumni of the 1970s and 1990s as one team; and the alumni of the 80s as the other team. Everyone is invited to come out to see this great annual football game. |