Show Brideerlanc The Herald Journal Logan Utah In brief Fire kept away from barn antique tractors A barn filled with antique tractors would have been lost in a brush fire Thursday if not for the quick response of Paradise and Hyrum firefighters Cache County Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Petersen said the fire began about 3:55 pm Thursday just off Pisgah Road at about 87000 South west of Paradise “We're still trying to find out what started the fire” Petersen said “We know it was started by a human but we don't know if somebody was burning there or a cigarette from a car started it" Friday March 26 1999 Smithfield police needs weighed By Arrin Brunson staff writer Mayor Kent Ward says many Smith-fiel- d residents don't think the town gets its money's worth in police protection from the Cache County Sheriffs Office But Sheriff Lynn Nelson says the Sheriff's Office can provide law enforcement services more effectively than a proposed city police force The proposal to hire a chief two deputies and utilize reserve officers would put an officer on duty 16 hours a city day in the county's second-largeWard said Smithfield would contract with the Sheriffs Office for coverage of the other times The city has scheduled its second public meeting on the issue for 7 tonight in the the Smithfield Senior Center 375 Canyon Road Nelson said cities benefit by contracting with the county for law enforcement coverage because they are billed only for the time officers work in the city limits Services including general patrol working traffic writing tickets and handling calls can he scaled to each city's needs Nelson explained “1 have yet to see a budget proposed that will provide the same level of coverage for the money” Nelson said “In st Petersen said the fire consumed a fence and farm equipment and was advancing on a shed and a barn that Petersen was told contained antique tractors However firefighters arrived and had the blaze contained within 15 minutes “Had they not got there when they did the fire certainly would have spread to that shed and probably the barn” Petersen said The fire and several other brush fues over the past few days prompted Petersen to warn landowners who choose to bum weeds “People don't understand how dry this stuff is right now” Petersen said “It hasn't really greened up A little bit of wind and you just can't believe it can spread where it docs” Petersen stressed that leaving a fire unattended is not only unwise it is illegal Also any burning in Cache County requires a permit and must be completed before dark The permits are fairly Page 3 the last two months we have taken substantial steps on both sides to improve that level of communication” But Ward said he has heard an increasing number of comments from Smithfield residents who are not satisfied with the coverage the Sheriff's Office is providing for the city’s $260000 annual contract For example Ward explained when Smithfield pays for four hours of service the notion is that law enforcement officers are in town for that amount of time It is more likely he said that four officers are in the city for one hour “The dollar figure that we are paying to the Sheriff's Department is getting up to the point where we are trying to determine if we can get more bang for the dollar with our own department" he said At the first public meeting on the issue Tuesday night about 30 residents law enforcement officers and local officials listened and joined in the debate Smithfield resident Ronald DcMille said he came away from the meeting with mixed emotions about the proposed police department He said the biggest problem he sees in Smithfield is traffic congestion and careless driving — not dire circumstances for a big change in the community “I think the way things are right now we’d be better otf staying with the system we have now until finances are set on the thing to get to go whole-ho- g enough officers to take care of it proper- about liability personnel officer backup and coverage He emphasized greater community involvement by encouraging residents to take greater advantage of programs like Neighboihood Watch and Drug Awareness Resistance Education “No one was there that spoke up in favor of their ow n police department' Nelson said "I think we do an excellent job and at a reasonable cost because we've consolidated resources from city and countv to provide a level of ser- ly" Robert Buckley of Smithfield said the public meeting was laigely a forum for airing grievances Local residents and officials would be content to postpone the formation of a police department if a satisfactory level of law enforcement coverage could be attained through the Sheriff's Office he said “I think they can work out a solution” Buckley said “It may end up that they'll talk this out without having to do any- vice” As sheriff Nelson said he performs two main roles for Smithfield In addition to serving as county sheriff his status as Smilhfield's chief of police gives him thing” Although the issue has arisen every year for half a decade the city's budget has been the main obstacle Ward said he has looked into obtaining grants and other funding for starting a police department but he said Smithfield residents would likely have to pay a tax increase He said it might be a good investment though Last year the Smithfield City Council approved a $40000 budget increase Ward said but changes in the Sheriff's Department cost the city 30CX) hours or $100000 Nelson however discussed concerns ’ Petersen said To obtain a permit or more informa4 tion call clear understanding of the agency's ability to provide law enforcement services If the City Council decides to organize a police force Nelson said the financial losses to the Sheriff's Office would be noticeable “We could potentially have to lay olf some individuals” Nelson said Smithfield City Recorder Dean Clegg said the City Council and mayor are challenged with a tough choice "A decision has not been made yet” he said “When it is I really think it will have been made on proper research and time spent” ovr'tv easy to acquire over the telephone a 1 West Side principal moving on 752-411- By Nicole G Farrell staff writer Home business ordinance tweaked Principal Jon Abrams is leaving West Side High School in Dayton at the end of the school year to take a job in Idaho Falls Idaho The Logan Planning Commission unanimously supported Thursday night a new version of a proposed home occupation ordinance after making a few changes The latest version which will be sent' to the Municipal Council for tion allows home businesses to have one employee other than someone who lives in the home The single employee is not automatic however because the commission recommended the employee not be allowed until the city issues a conditional-us- e permit The commission also outlined regulations cm customer appointments at home businesses It said home business owners could have two customers visit per day and up to 10 per week If someone wants more visits the commission recommended the business seek a conditional-use permit The Logan Municipal Council plans to review the changes at its workshop at 6:30 pm Wednesday in the Logan Council Chambers 255 N Main St in Jackson gather — The JACKSON WestWyo (AP) ern Slates Republican Leadership Conference will be held in Jackson this fall with events including a presidential preference straw poll The conference from Sept 30 to Oct 3 is expected to draw about 700 delegates and guests from Wyoming Colorado Montana New Mexico Arizona Nevada Utah Idaho California Ore- gon Washington Alaska Hawaii Guam and American Samoa All of the Republican presidential hopefuls have been invited “This is just an incredible opportunity for Wyoming'' said Jan Larimer national Republican committeewoman conference chairwoman “Wyoming is a small state with only three electoral votes and we usually don't get the attention" Jackson was chosen last fall as the site for the biannual conference but organizers did not announce it until earlier this week because they wanted to work out all of the details she said Governors and congressional delegates are also expected to attend Gov Jim Geringer and US Sen Craig will be honorary Thomas group that had wanted land around the old Utah State University horse bam In North Logan rezoned is now considering developing the area into an equestrian park with houses A development Developers embrace horse bam Arena could be centerpiece of subdivision on former USU property By Michael R Weibel staff writer Republicans to and Herald JoumalFile photo The national media attention such conferences draw is “priceless'' in terms of promoting Wyoming said Bill Gentle head of tourism and travel for the Wyoming Business Council The conference could inject about $500000 into the state's economy and sent nearly $30000 into stale coffers he said NORTH LOGAN — The North Logan Planning & Zoning Commission tabled a proposal Thursday night to develop the old Utah State University sheep bam into a horse stable and equestrian arena In doing so Commissioner Clark Puffer said he wanted to send a message to the City Council which failed to act on a proposal earlier this month to rczone the area at 3200 North and 1600 East to residential The developers Opal Investments wanted to build 27 homes on about 19 acres The current zoning would allow only 16 to 21 lots but the developers said that wouldn't he enough homes to make it feasible to remove the large bluish-gree- n metal building and relocate it elsewhere So now Olsen and his partners are proposing a horse arena And they plan to Call City Editor Mike Wennergren 752-212- 1 Ext 3023 ' 1 1 more good limes than bad" Abrams said Abrams said he is looking forward to moving to a larger school system About 800 students attend the junior high school — more than are in the entire West Side School District The principal also said he is going back to school to work on a doctorate in education The West Side Sch(xl Board is trying to fill the principal position immediately by advertising the ty" Canned and other members of the comjob throughout Utah Idaho Monmission left the developers with a list of tana and Wyoming stunned” But that proposal concerns some planning commissioners Although the building was originally built to house up to 100 horses Commission Brian Canncll said he is concerned about the impacts it would have in a residential area City officials said the facility comprises nearly 5 acres and ordinances allow only four animals per acre But Olsen argued that the arena is a recreational facility and that it would fit the city's requirement of open space in a residential development — so it could utilize the 19 acres as a basis for the number of animals that may be ss questions and concerns they want addressed including parking and lighting before a decision will be made Puffer said he wants the City Council to look at this proposal and if the council’s not comfortable with it reconsider the original rezone and residential development that had been proposed there Box Elder schools to be closed U reports colon cancer findings SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Scientists in Utah and Washington stale have identified a key player in a genetic process that prevents the development of colon cancer and other tumors "This is one step in a multistcp process toward identifying new targets for drug development that will improve our therapies for colon cancer” said Ray While director of the University of Utah's Huntsman Cancer Institute The study published today in the journal Science found that a protein called B56 helps the adenomatous polyposis coli gene or APC block cancer “This protein has never been implicated in this process before" said David Vir-shan associate professor of pediatrics and oncology at the university "This is up Got a local newt tip? housed there Commissioner Charles Swenson however warned Olsen that he may not he able to build as many homes there as he hopes “You won't be able to pack houses in there” he said “That’s a calculated risk we're willing to take" replied Olsen who noted the developers hope to improve the facility so it is a desired amenity for nearby homeowners facili“We expect to build a first-cla- approach the city with plans to develop homes around the facility “We originally asked to make the area more residential but the public wanted a horse arena” said Ray Olsen representing Opal Investments “Quite frankly we were Abrams will take the post of assistant principal at Clair E Gale Junior High School Abrams who announced his resignation to the school hoard March 17 will be at the high school through the end of June “It’s been a tremendous learning experience" Abrams said of his years at West Side Abrams has been at the school since 1991 and he became principal in 1994 Abrams announced his resignation once before In 1997 he said he would not renew his contract in protest of a disciplinary decision by the school board he considered too lenient Things were worked out however and Abrams said relations with the hoard are belter than they have been for a long time “There have been many many one of the ways this important cancer gene APC normally inhibits the uncontrolled cell growth that is cancer" Normal APC nets as a brake on cancer But when it mutates it promotes develop a BRIGHAM CITY (AP) — Two Box Elder County elementary schools will shut their doors for school good after the 1999-200- 0 year it represents a big contribution because of The Box Elder School Board the magnitude of the disease” said biomembers unanimously approved chemist and APC expert Paul Polakis of a policy Wednesday which will Onyx Pharmaceuticals in Richmond Calif dose Iloncyvillc and Central eleTheoretically scientists might develop a mentary schools rearrange elenew drug by enhancing B56’s mentary school boundaries and properties Polakis said ready the school district for future The American Cancer Society estimates changes Martell 129400 new cases of colon and rectum Superintendent cancers will be diagnosed in the United Mcnlove had made the recomSlates this year and 56600 Americans mendations to the school board will die of such tumors Colorectal cancers on March 10 They were the rank as the nation's third most common result of the board's Elementary and Effectiveness cancer and the third most common cause Efficiency aimed at streamlining 15 of study in both sexes of cancer deaths the 19 schools in the The study was led by Virshup with most district elementary and Central Iloncyvillc of the work done by Joni Seeling a posthad the worst scores doctoral fellow in Virshup's laboratory Board member Clark Siddoway include While and his former said the changes are a matter of postdoctoral fellow Rosario Gil who now money In the future the board works in Spain and Jeffrey R Miller and will look at expanding Garland Randall Muon at the University of Elementary and purchasing land for a new school in Perry ment of tumors of the colon liver pancreas skin and possibly the breast Virshup said Understanding how it works when it is normal is crucial to understanding how the mutant form nurses cancers The study maps new details of the way B56 protein helps normal APC genes supress cancer The protein keeps levels of another protein called beta calenin — which helps embryos develop but also stimulates the growth of tumors — low White a geneticist said the new study in conjunction with many others examining mutant APC could lead to experimental cancer drugs in five years “I'm not forecasting a new therapy that cures colon cancer within five years but we will have new ways of attacking it we can test” he said “The more ways we have the better our chances of finding something that really works" The discovery of the B56 protein's role Co-auth- in helping APC block colon cancer from developing “may rate as a small step but i ' v i W Wvv |