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Show br Halt jCakf I tribune jiil,. !!!( hurxiay Morning seetim IS Page I Blockbuster Storm Drenches Most of Utah Spring Deluge Fills Cellars By Mike Gorrtll Tribune Staff Writer hor weeks. National Weather Service meteorologist W illiam Alder has been saying the worrisome thing about spring storms is that they can produce a whole month's worth of precipitation in a day or two. That s just about what Wednesday's storm did "We got hit with an incredible blockbuster storm storm again, said Mr. Alder, noting that the hit hardest along the Wasatch Front and in northern Utah but also dropped suable amounts of precipitation in southern Utah. It was explosive. The areas that got the most precipitation received 60 to 80 percent of the monthly total in the first two days." At Salt Lake City International Airport, which normally receives 2 21 inches of precipitation during April, the storm had produced 1.67 inches by Wednesday evening. That included 1 21 inches on Wednesday (.36 fell before midnight), setting a new record for precipitation on April 2. A number of east bench areas received 2 to 3 inches of precipitation as well as 1 to 3 inches of snow. Snowfall was heavy in northern Utah mountains, where ski resorts reported 12 to 22 inches of wet snow. No major problems resulted, although many basements flooded and runoff exceeded the capacity of storm drains, forming large ponds on streets in Salt Lake City's west side. Cudahy Lane (3200 North) was closed near Redwood Road Wednesday when it was covered by nearly a foot of water backing up from the Great Salt Lake. Problems also were reported near the 600 South off ramp, low spots on the Interstate 15 collector lanes near 2100 South and at an industrial park near 6100 S. 380 West. Salt Lake Police noted that high water prompted street crews to erect barricades on 900 West from 1300 South to 1700 South. For awhile. Cathy Nickerson thought she was in trouble. Ms. Nickerson, 27. 2808 S. 300 East, found herself stranded by deep water at the Ambassador Duck Club northwest of the airport. The Salt Lake County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Unit was called out shortly before noon to rescue her, but before their help was needed, she got out with the drive vehicle. help of a friend's More than a dozen Salt Lake County Flood Control employees worked through the night removing debris from culverts. "We had people out all over taking care of hot spots here, there and everywhere, said director Terry Holzworth. High flows in Emigration and Red Butte creeks contributed to street flooding on west 1300 South, but other Sail Column 4 See . wide-rangin- g low-lyin- g . rrff-'-mi- four-whe- B-- ?v&i, Tribune Stott Courtney Richter wades away from her stalled car at 1400 South and 900 West as a huge storm set a new precipitation record for By Christopher Smart Tribune Staff Writer UINTAH BASIN Communities in this rugged land along the south slope of the Uinta Mountains don't owe their existence to the discovery and production of oil. but as the price of foreign crude plummets, they are increasingly threatened by a bust spiral that begins with idle drilling rigs and leads to empty storefronts, foreclosed houses and dwindling school enrollments. One year ago, 20 or more rigs were spread across the basin's Altamont-Blu- e Bell oil field searching for Utah crude, a mustard-colore- d waxy oil that won't flow unless heated to 110 degrees. Today, only four or five rigs are drilling for new sources in Utah's largest field and that number could decrease soon. Oil-rihands have had work hours reduced or have been laid off. Two major oil field sprvice companies have recently closed operations in the area, laying off about 70 workers. Vernal's Ashton's department store, a venture that survived the Great Depression, closed at Christmas time and was followed by Gibson's and Osco Drug. As the price of foreign oil fell Jrom 530 a barrel last November to $12, $1 1 and even $10, the outlook in Vernal, the town hit hardest by the slump, becomes gloomier houses and condominiums stand empty, property values continue to fall and unemployment lines grow. g Vernal officials say the town's problems did not start with the recent price decline. Speculation over the large projects planned for the basin fueled a boom cycle in the late 1970s and early 80s. But with the price of crude falling short of $40 a barrel, production of petroleum from shale failed to become financially feasible. But while the price of crude falls, oil wells in the area continue to pump for now at least. Two large producers in the area, Penzoil and Utex. would not respond to inquiries from The Tribune. But a smaller operator, who has knowledge of the area's oil fields, said although exploration has been cut drastically, oil is still flowing from eastern Utah wells. He noted, however, low prices present complex problems for oil producers. Steven Malnar of Roosevelt's SAM Oil Inc. and Quinex Energy Corp.. said if the price of crude drops some wells will be "shut in. However, on Ute Indian lands, companies that do not pump oil for a period longer than 30 days can lose leases. On other lands that period is 90 days, he said. The cost of drilling the average well in the Uinta Basin is about $2 million, said Mr. Malnar. At $10 a barrel, the well has to produce more than 260.000 barrels to keep from losing money and the average production in the area is 400.000 barrels during the life of each well That is equivalent to $4 million at $10 a barrel. "If you can't get $6 to $7 million out of a well, they'll go somewhere else to drill it. Mr. Malnar maintained. Utah's yellow-colorecrude makes things even more difficult, said one oil refiner. Mike Craig, president of the Seagull Refinery, the only refining facility in the basin, said older wells produce at a slower rate than Body Found Is Their Daughter The parents of Tiffany Hambleton believe the body found Monday in a west Salt Lake City field is their daughter, although confirmation through dental records is still pending. police said Wednesday. However, homicide deleciive Sgt. Sieve Diamond said the dental charts are a "formality. Miss Hambleton. 14. of Salt Lake City, was last seen about 8 p.m. on Feb 18 near Arrow Press Square in the company of a man described as about age 30. 6 feet 2 and about 250 pounds, said Detective Stephen Smith of the police department's Juvenile Division. A rancher herding cattle near 1100 South and 3400 West found her partially clothed, decomposed body in a ditch. She apparently had died from multiple stab wounds. Miss Hamhleton's mother reported her as a runaway Feb, 19. about two days after Miss Hambleton left for a concert at the Salt Palace, a police report said. She and a friend went to a party near 500 East 4700 South after the concert. The friend left after an hour, but Miss Hambleton stayed until about 4 a m the report said. A man she had met at the party restaugave her a ride to a rant at 3900 South State, but his vehicle ran out of gas. and Miss Hambleton apparently began walking north on State Street toward her home She wasn't seen again until an acquaintance met her near Arrow Press .Square the next day, the report said new wells. , fast-foo- d See Column B-- The acquaintance telephoned police after he had seen a flier saying that Miss Hambleton was missing I Vandals Tear Up Apartheid Fighters Apartment By Anne Palmer Tribune Staff Writer Benj Medina, a University of Utah student, employee, artist and political activist, became the apparent victim Monday of burglars who disagree with his political beliefs. Artworks Mr. Medina had r to benefit pledged for a Salvadoran refugees were destroyed, the word "Pinko had been painted on walls, curtains, and carpet throughout the apartment, and furniture, books, and clothing were also streaked with paint and other materials. Approximately $240 was also reportedly stolen from the apartment. located at 205 E. 2nd Avenue. Mr. Medina estimated the value of his destroyed belongings at Besides many original $24,000. artworks. Mr. Medina owns a number of first edition books which were also destroyed. left-win- g fund-raise- Burglars apparently entered the apartment by climbing a fire escape and entered through a locked window. A police investigation showed no signs of forced entry- outside class soliciting signatures for a petition supporting divestiture nn M Defeating: Election Would (lost More Mayor Palmer DePaulis says lie once favored letting voters decide whether to restore the Building, but now he is urging them to approve, not protest, the decision ai ready made. Some city residents, angry that the decision on the $30 million question was settled with a public hearing instead of a public vote, have threatened to try to defeat a bond election set for April 29. At his monthly news conference Wednesday, the mayor urged approval of the general obligation bond pro posal on the grounds that defeat of the bond proposal will cost voters more money. If the bond (lection fails and few the city would people think it will turn to revenue bonds. This second choice route does not require voter approval but carries a higher interest rate. Over the entire repayment term, revenue bonds would cost vot ers an extra $14 million Revenue bonds would cost more because a re serve account must be maintained m insure repayment and because it.c bonds are issued at a higher rate A vote against general obligation bonds would not prevent the weak from being performed on the govern ment building It would only force the city into using the more costly finam ing alternative The City Council has already made the decision to rehabilitate the build ing instead of tear it down and re place it with a new City Hall Mayor DePaulis said the appropn ate time for taking the demoliton-renovatioquestion to voters since expired He said he supported sending ihc issue to voters two years ago when the issue first arose and still agree-witthat philosophically, but the mayor said delays that a referendum vote would impose now make it too expensive, Aside from commitments the city already has for proceeding on the renovation work, the mayor said that alterations in the municipal bend market could make the project even more expensive if the bonds are md approved and issued soon 4 ha-lo- third-stor- Mr. Medina was one of 11 students who erected the first shanty, has spent at least nine nights sleeping out to protect the structures, and says he has spent a lot of time L City-Count- Uinta Basin wells must be heated to get the oil to flow and periodically, wax must be removed from the wells to keep oil flowing. Mr. Craig said the Seagull Refinery is working at near capacity levels - Art for Refugee Benefit Is Ruined Mr, Medina is an active supporter of the Coalition to Stop Apartheid and the University of Utah Students Against Apartheid. Those groups have erected three shanties on the U. campus for educational purposes and to promote divestiture of University funds from corporations which do business in South Africa bv Mayor Urges Support of Bond Issue d Denial Check Due Parents Believe i April 2. Cloudy skies with light rain are predicted Thursday. Clear skies, but colder nighttime temperatures are expected Friday. Plummet Puts Heat on Uintah Basin Economy Oil-Pri- ce - T Student, artist and political activist Benj Medina stands before shelves of his books addition to his involvement groups, the theater major has been outspoken in his opposition to U S intervention in Central America He originated the idea of holding an "Art for El Salvador" fundraising benefit, scheduled for April 13 In with the i the Union Ballroom The event will feature visual art, music, and poetry, and is sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union. Amnesty International, the Uni in versity Central r tbune ShiM Photo bvLvnnH Johnson and artworks spray painted by vandals who ransacked his Avenues apartment. American Net- work, and the Lesbian and Gav dent Union Stu- Iroceeds will provide medical aid for the "innocent victims who are suffering in FI Salvador, according to Mr. Medina Many of the 18 artworks which were apparently kicked and splattered with paint and toilet bowl See B-- Column 1 The threat is that the bonds could lose their status. It the bonds became taxable, they would have to be sold at a higher inteiest rate to compensate bond buyers Voter endorsement of general obligation bonds circumvents those pi oh lems. Mayor DePaulis noted "To vote against it just to pi on si the building is to cost us more,' said ( i 0.0. 0.M.M.00. 0. 0.0.0. 0.0 0 0 0-- a 0.. 0 A 0 00. 0.0 0 .M..M A .0 M. M 0.0 0....0 0.0 .0 0 0.0.0 .A. |