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Show MMINb . I i I i UINTAH BASIN STANDARD. August 28. 200l- - Page Utah property taxes compare Uintah County favorably to other states "Whether one looks at homes, apartments, commercial, or industrial property, Utah property taxes are relatively low when compared to other states. So concludes Utah Foundations most recent research report: Property Taxes in Utah and the 60 States." Using data fromarecent study by the Minnesota Taxpayers Association, the report compares pro tax rates and amounts for 18 thetical properties, ranging $80,000 residential homes to $50 million industrial properties, using both rural and urban examples. Tans were calculated for these properties and compared to typical urban and rural areas in other states. Utah Foundations report focuses on com- parisons with nearby mountain states but also includes national rankings. Taxes on residential homes and apartments ranked especially low compared to other states, because Utah state law grants a large tax exemption for residential property, reducing taxable value by 45 percent. Taxes on an urban home valued at $200,000 would be about $1,400, ranking 39th highest in the nation. Taxes on an urban apartment building worth $660,000 rank 47th est (or 4th lowest) in the nation. Despite the low nationwide ranking, Utahs property taxes rank right in the middle of mountain states. Senior Research Analyst, .ti m Is Web important for students? High school senior Amanda . Campbell says the Internet makes gettingstartedon school assignments easier, but she still values the time she spends with books. "The Internet makes it too easy sometimes, said Campbell, a London, Pennsylvania. "I still think you should go to the library. She says her teachers require her to have three book sources and one Internet source for school research projects, a mix of research sources similar to those often required by teachers. A majority of teens say they can find on the Internet very nearly all of what they need for school projects. American adults, however, have a mixed view of the importance of Internet skills for children to do school work, an Associated Press poll found. About half in the poll said the ability to use the Internet is very important, and the other half said it is somewhat important or not important at all, according to the poll conducted for the AP by ICR of Media, FA Some educators, like Vermont principal Elisabeth LeRoy, wonder, with Amanda Campbell, whether the Internet makes things too easy. My concern about using the Internet is that students might take an article directly off the Internet rather than reading it and summarising it, said LeRoy, principal of the Craltsbury School, aK-1- 2 school in rural Vermont. "Usually, teachers require something besides a Web reference, like an receives Smart Site designation Robson, wno authored the report, said, "Most of the mountain states have moderate property taxos, especially for residential homes. Arizona stands out; however, for taxingbuai-nes- s properties at very high rates. Business property owners face tax burdens almost twice as high as residential property owners, although these higher taxes still rank below average compared to other states. Taxes on urban commercial and industrial properties rank 38th highest in the country. Utah Foundations report also examined growth rates for Utah property taxes and other mqjor taxes over 30 years. Property taxrevehueshave grown slower tlian other taxes except fuel taxes. Utahs fastest growing mqjor tax source has been individual income taxes, followed closely by sales taxes. Since 1970, property taxes have grown slower than the Utah economy, exacting a smaller portion of Utah Personal Income. Income and sales taxes have taken a larger share of personal income during this period. Regarding the tradeoff among these taxes, Mr. Robson stated, During these past 30 years, the income tax burden on Utah taxpayers has just about made up for the declining property tax burden. Utah Foundation is a nonprofit, research organization. Our mission is to encourage informed public policy making and to serve as Utahs trusted source for independent, objective research on crucial public policy issues. TAKING IT EASY- - These three teens from Duchesne were spotted at the Duchesne County Fair relaxing in a hot tub display. The only thing missing was the water. Pictured left to right are Asher McKee, Tai Lee Marett, and Sarah Swesey. Study finds new clues to gene ID of prostate cancer of Like detectives developing a profile of a killer, researchers have tracked down new clues to the genetic identity ofprostate cancer. That could lead to better testing and tailoring of treatment to individual patients. The researchers measured the activity of about 10, 000 genes simultaneously in normal tissue and prostate cancer, discovering an activity profile for each type of tissue. Their work revealed some 200 genes involved in the disease, said Dr. Arul Chinnaiyan, who directed the University ofMichigan study appear-ingi- n Thursday's issue ofthe journal cy Nature. "This is important, because it is most likely that many genes are involved in the development and profession of prostate cancer- - each controlling a different step in the process, he said. Prostate cancer is the most common diagnosed among men. Doctors typically rely on physical examination to detect prostate cancer, but a blood test that became widely available in 1997, called the prostate specific antigen or PSA test, has helped in earlier diagnosis. Unfortunately, the PSA test gives many false positive results and is not as reliable as doctors would like, Chinnaiyan said. use the Web." Other educators are less hesitant about the Internet. Bruce Whitehead, principal at Hellgate Elementary m Missoula, Montana, pushes pupils to develop Internet skill quickly at his school, which emphasizes technology. The school gets computers into the homes ofstudents through tax write-of- f and donation programs. "Soine teachers use it extensively, "Whitehead said. Parents can log in and go right to their childs folder, find out what their assignments are. The percentage of adults in the important for students dropped steadily the older the respondent. The poll of 1,006 adults was taken July 1 and has an error margin of li No more bake sales? There's now a simpler way for parents to help raise money for school and other organizations. In addition to a new means detecting the cancer itself, the new study may lead tn a way to determine whether it is relatively benign and slow growing or a very aggressive form that spreads quickly. Such a test could, in turn, guide doctors in how aggressively to treat patients. It also could jrnlp better answer worrisome questions typically asked by patients who want to know if surgery is necessary or the chances the disease will return, Chinnaiyan said. He noted some ofthe genes identified in the study previously were linked to cancer, but many others had not been associated with the disease. Two of the genes linked to prostate cancer are called hepsin and pim-which the researchers sqy may turn but to be markers that can be developed into a test. More than 700 samples of prostate tissue were tested for hepsin in the study, and the highest levels were cells. The lowfound in est levels were in benign tissue. Another researcher says the study is only a first step toward a better diagnostic test. "Whats important here is that this test is not ready for routine clinical implementation, said Dr. Todd Golub, who specializes in the genetics of cancer at MIT. Reprinted with permission from the Deseret Noes. 1, Through efforts ofthe Economic Development Department, Uintah County is now a Smart Site to provide a location for high tech compa nies and jobs. The Smart Site designation became official last week. It will use a room on the upper floor of the Vernal Area Chamber ofCommerce Building until other sites become available. "This designation will give us the same benefits as other Smart Sites in Utah, said Lisa Roes, Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce Executive director. The Economic Development Department is operated fay the Chamber under contract with Vernal City and Uintah County. Governor Mike Leavitt recently announced a $500,000 federal matching grant awarded to purchase computer equipment and software for Utahs Smart Sites. The UJS. Department ofCommerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded the grant to the Rural Partnership Office to support the Smart Sites initiative. "This grant has allowed us to leverage the original legislative appropriation in asignificantwsy, said Leavitt "Now, Smart Sites rt will offer businesses computer equipment in addid bandtion to a facility, width, and trained workers. Smart Sites represent rural Utah's connection to the Utah Silicon Valley Alliance. Companies from throughout the world can electronically outsource with these sites for servires such as software testing, technical call centers, database management, data entry and website development. In the 2001 legislative session, the legislature appropriated $725,000 for Smart Site development. A portion ofthe appropriation will serve as a match to the EDA grant. The Rural Partnership Office lias been actively submittingapplications for grants and soliciting private partners to leverage the money. state-of-the-a- high-spee- a 27-3- pi us ex' minus three percentage points. Residents of metropolitan areas were far more likely to say Internet skills were very important for school children. I. "I never thought reach the powerline. But it did. Nate Snow; Roosevelt, Utah It was a typical Friday MUSEUM ON WHEEL- S- The Utah Museum ofNatural Historyjoined with Zions Bank in Duchesne to exhibit the Traveling Treasures: Minerals of the World. The exhibit will remain at the Zions Duchesne branch until Sept. . ' Pictured left to right with the traveling display are Zions employees Sheryll 1 Taylor, Diane Robinson, Marie Plant, and Jenny Adams.' How to find a quality child care center One of the most important decisions parents make on be half of their young children is finding a quality child care provider. Studies have shown that children who attend quality child care centers develop better social and problem solving skills, increased confidence and are more ready to learn upon enteringschool. However, choosingthe right child care center presents many difficult decisions for parents. The National Child Care Association (NCCA) suggests that parents carefully weigh their options when choosinga center for their child. "Child care centers can offer children an excellent introduction to Lynn White, tor. "When searching for a child care center, I recommend that parents be prepared to ask a lot of questions. White recommends that parents ask about stafDchild ratios; staff qual ideations, train in gand certification; safety provisions, including immunization policies; and components ofthe center curriculumor programs. Here are some tips parents can use to find the right child care center for their child: Consult other parents who have children in child care. What do they like and dislike about the center their child attends? Phone several centers convenient toyour home oroflice and setup a time for you and your child to viBit. Visit a few centers and encourage your child to become involved in his or her prospective classroom as you observe. Have a list of questions prepared to discuss with the center director. Dont forget to ask about school policies regarding holidays and late fees; staff stability, training and education; and tuition. Make sura that the center has adequate safety procedures and that it is clean, well maintained and offers adequate space for children to play. Check to see if the center is licensed by a respected accrediting will authority such as theNCCA-Thi- s ensure that the center is meeting high standards in all important areas, including disease prevention. Makesure tocheck fen1 visible safety provisions such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers andemergency exit signs. In addition, remember to ask about less visible safety precautions, such as immunization policies. Children easily pass infection to one another, especially in a close environment such asachild care center. State Health Departments in several states now require children to be immunised with the newest recommended vaccine, Prevnar, prior to enteringchild care. Prevnar protects infants and young children from invasive pneumococcal disease, such as meningitis. Many child care centers liave enacted similar immunization policies on their own. Child care can be a rewarding experience for both parent and child. Taking the time to find the right center can help a child grow socially and take the important first steps toward a lifetime of learning. -- National Child Care Association morning. Autumn was coming to an end, and the irrigation pipes had to he put away for the winter. As Nate Snow was moving the last pipe, he noticed that it was Filled with debris. I was just standing it up to get some of the dirt out, and as I stood s it up, it hit me. As the end of the irrigation V y'V ''' Nate Snow standing beneath the line that nearly took his life. pipe collided with the overhead power line, 69,000 volts of electricity instantly shot down . the pipe, blowing Nate back and not as rare as you might think, and its an easy kmxrking him unconscious. mistake to make. Looking at an irrigation pipe Nates injuries were severe, and he Hr A 7 jVi L are not as lucky. Accidental electmcution is 'bf f had to be flown to lying on the ground, its hard to believe its long enough reach overhead power lines, but as Nate will testify, it can. the University of ' Utah Burn Unit where he spent the next three weeks undergoing numerous surgeries on his hands and feet. Fortunately for Nate, only a few scars and a pair ot scared gloves and shoes remain to remind him of his harrowing experience, Nit many others W i Irrigation Pipes are often 30' long Power Lines can be as low as 18' No matter how high tht power lines look, avoid handling pipes under them |