Sanpete Messenger Gunnison Valley Edition | 2005-02-16 | Page 2

Cyan Magenta Yellow Black A2 Sanpete Messenger-Gunnison Valley Edition Wednesday, February 16, 2005 Scores (Continued from A1) JOHN HALES / MESSENGER PHOTO Officials from Layton Construction survey the wreckage of the collapsed ceiling at the Eccles Center. Collapse (Continued from A1) ing and semi-transparent plastic panels suspended from the roof by airplane cables placed every four feet. The structure covered nearly 80 percent of the lobby’s ceiling, about the same area as two 18-wheel semi-trucks placed side-by-side, Pike explained. The incident shocked school officials, especially since the building was just completed last year. Many people consider it to be the jewel of the campus because of it’s aesthetic interior. “There’s some real surprise that this thing came tumbling down,” Pike said. “There was a lot of discussion between the architect who designed it and the construction team about this particular feature of the building.” Investigation into the incident began the day immediately following the incident. Representatives from Layton Construction Services Group—the company that oversaw the building during its construction—responded immediately to inspect the damage. On Friday, engineers, manufacturers of materials used in the structure, architects and state investigators arrived to examine the situation. No cause for the collapse has been established, although Dave McKay of the Utah Division of Facilities and Construction Management said, “there is speculation aplenty.” He indicated that the focus of the investigation is the structure’s installation rather than its design. Mike Daniels, vice president of Layton Construction and one of the incident’s earliest responders, said that officials don’t seem to be quite as concerned about the cause of the collapse as they are about getting it cleaned up. According to Daniels, the insurance policy on the building covers everyone associated with the building’s construction, including architects, contractors and subcontractors. Therefore, he said, no one associated with the construction of the building will be financially liable for the collapse. During the course of the investigation, officials looked at other areas of the building with similar ceiling structures. Pike said there was no threat of collapse in most of those areas. Other areas did pose some concern, however, and Layton has agreed to reinforce those areas as a preventive measure to ensure the safety of the building, said McKay. “We’re being cautious upon cautious,” he said. McKay said reinforcement work should be finished by the end of the week, in time for planned events to go forward without a hitch. As of Monday, a damage estimate released by Snow College put the cost of the collapse at $250,000, but Pike said the final amount could be higher. “The lobby will be finished, but it is not likely the college will be interested in recreating exactly what was there,” he said, “but it will be something that is consistent with the rest of the building.” In order to not hinder students while school is in session, college officials have requested that work to refinish the ceiling be delayed until the end of the semester, said McKay. He said that the lobby would be functional after its cleanup, which began on Tuesday and should be finished by this weekend. Scores were reported as percentiles, percentage-like numbers designed to show how a student or group of students performed compared to students nationally. The national average is 50 on all tests. A score of 60 means the student or group scored better than 60 percent of test takers nationally. In the South Sanpete District, the core composite score for third graders was 60, compared to 59 statewide. Fifth graders received a core composite score of 66 while the statewide score was 59. The composite score for eighth graders was 57, the same as the statewide eighth grade score. The only South Sanpete core score that fell below the statewide average was the 11th grade result. Eleventh graders scored 52, compared to 60 for 11th graders statewide. One of the high points for South Sanpete was the fifth grade math score, a 72. That compared to 59 statewide, and 56 on the 2003 SAT. Third and fifth graders also scored above the 70th percentile in science. The most apparent weakness was the overall performance of high school test takers. With few exceptions, third, fifth and eighth grade scores were above state averages. Yet five out of six 11th grade scores were below the state average. The 11th grade core score was 52, compared to 60 statewide. The only area in which South Sanpete 11th graders matched the state average was Elementary core composite results in social studies. The social studies scores both in South Sanpete and statewide were 56. In the North Sanpete District, the third grade core composite score was 45, compared to 59 statewide. The fifth grade core score came in at 54 compared to 59 in the state as a whole. North Sanpete eighth graders received an average core score of 55, compared to 57 statewide, while local 11th graders scored 50 on the core tests, compared to a Utah score of 60. George Bench, assistant superintendent in North Sanpete, said the district was disappointed in the third and fifth grade results. But he said he “would not want to venture a guess” as to why the scores came in lower than expected. However, North Sanpete improved its results significantly compared to SAT results in 2003. In 2003, the district scored between 30 and 39 in four out of 23 test areas, meaning students performance was below 60 to 70 percent of the nation. On the 2003 test, the district showed scores between 40 and 50 in another 10 areas. And none of the 23 results were at the 60th percentile or higher. In contrast, on the 2004 Iowa tests, no scores were below the 40th percentile. The district reported scores between 40 and 50 in six test areas. And it reported five scores of 60 percentile or higher. CENTERFIELD COURIER BY ELVA JENSEN 528-3382 Member Utah Press Association The Centerfield LDS 2nd Ward Relief Society had their “Sweetheart Night” Feb. 9. A specialist was on hand to teach line-dancing, and refreshments were enjoyed by everyone. According to the Gunnison LDS Stake humanitarian representative, a new list of items for hygiene kits includes: two combs, one six- or eight-ounce toothpaste, four toothbrushes, two bars of soap and two handtowels. These items should be put in gallon plastic bags. Vonda Madsen is still collecting these bags and any clothing, shoes and blankets that you can bring to her in Centerfield. She will then take all of these to the bishop’s storehouse. Vonda expresses her thanks to all who have been so generous in giving to the needy. Verna Averett spent last week in Gunnison Valley Hospital, but is now at home and feeling much better. The flu bug is hitting a lot of people in the valley. The Artista Literary Club met for their January meeting in the home of Norma Peterson in Gunnison. Her guests were the Sudweeks of Gunnison. Jennifer Sudweeks is an aid at Gunnison Elementary School, and she gave a delightful book review of a children’s book and told us of all the good children’s books that are available for students to read. We should encourage all children to read more than they are doing. Members of the Club from Centerf ield are Rilla Dee Beck, ArLou Edwards, Nancy Jensen and Elva Jensen. Jenifer Sudweeks is the granddaughter of Sheldon and Edna Bjerregaard of Mayfield. Deadlines, Post Office & Contact Information DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES? Sanpete News Company, Inc., publishing the GUNNISON VALLEY EDITION UPS# 232-020 Copyright, Sanpete News Company, Inc.©2004. All rights reserved. Reproduction, re-use, or transmittal of all matter herein is prohibited without prior written permission of the publisher. Published each Wednesday for 75¢ each, $24.00 inside Sanpete County, $27.00 outside Sanpete County, by Sanpete News Company, Inc., 35 S. Main, Manti, Utah 84642 Phone [phone], fax [phone] E-mail publisher at: [e-mail] E-mail sports to: [e-mail] E-mail school items to: [e-mail] E-mail news to: [e-mail] [e-mail] E-mail ads to: Deadline: Thursday, 5 p.m. Manti: 35 S. Main, Hours: M-F, 9 am to 6 pm Periodicals Postage Paid at Manti, Utah 84642, and at additional mailing offices. The Utah Department of Corrections is currently looking for good qualified people to become Correctional Officers at Central Utah Correctional Facility located in Gunnison, Utah. If you have an interest in a good-paying job with great benefits, apply now. Benefits include a 20-year retirement, health, dental, and vision coverage, paid annual, and sick leave, eleven paid holidays, apply now. If you are 21 years of age and have an interest in the criminal justice system as a career, apply now. In order to apply for this position you will need to login to: www.statejobs.utah.gov and follow the directions on how to apply now. Contact Human Resource Management, 435528-6156 or 435-528-6157 for additional information. Apply now to see if you have what it takes to become a Correctional Officer. 2/9,16GM South Sanpete Ephraim Elementary Manti Elementary Gunnison Elementary Third Grade School District State 64 60 59 64 60 59 57 60 59 North Sanpete Mt. Pleasant Elementary Fairview Elementary Moroni Elementary Ftn. Green Elementary Spring City Elementary 40 48 33 68 60 45 45 45 45 45 59 59 59 59 59 Fifth Grade School District State 71 66 59 64 66 59 63 66 59 57 62 41 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 Middle, high school core composite results Middle Schools Ephraim Middle Gunnison Middle Moroni Middle High Schools Manti High Gunnison High North Sanpete High Eighth Grade School District State 58 57 57 56 57 57 55 55 57 Eleventh Grade School District State 52 52 60 52 52 60 50 50 60 Warden (Continued from A1) But he hastened to add that the stabbings had nothing to do with the decision to change wardens. Brough confirmed that, saying, “That incident didn’t have any play in the decision. That event was managed well.” According to UDC public information officer Jack Ford, the prison was on lockdown from Jan. 29 to Feb. 7 following the incidents, which occurred on the evenings of Jan. 26 and 29. In the first incident one inmate apparently attempted to slice the throat of another. The victim needed several stitches but was treated at the hospital infirmary. The second incident was similar, but Clark said the injuries were more serious, although he did not give specifics. During the lockdown prison officials searched inmates’ cells for weapons and other contraband. Clark said the victims and perpetrators in the two incidents were involved in the same gang, and in each case the victim was attempting to leave the gang. Since the stabbings several of those involved have been transported to the Draper facility either for greater protection, as in the case of the victims, or to be placed under maximum security, Ford said. The UDC has also transported to Draper’s maximum-security unit several other inmates—described by Ford as gang ringleaders—who had previously been in Gunnison. Ford said the decision to file charges in the incidents would be made by Sanpete County attorney Ross Blackham Blackham said he couldn’t make that decision until he receives and reviews information from UDC regarding the incidents. (Continued from A1) tract include what the company would no longer pick up: refuse from home improvement projects, heavy automobile parts, dirt, rocks and cement. Tree branches and twigs must be bundled. The contract contains guidelines for rate increases governed by gas prices. The mayor and town clerk signed the contract. The town is sponsoring a dog clinic on March 19 at the back of the town hall. Dr. Tom Anderson and his team from Gunnison Valley Animal Clinic will be on hand to give the dogs their shots, and the town clerk will issue dog licenses. All dogs, living inside or outside, are required to be licensed. Each household is limited to two dogs in Mayfield. After April 19 those who have not given their dogs shots or had them licensed will have to pay a $25 late fee. A city representative will be knocking on doors to collect the fees. Mayfield AXTELL ACTION BY AUDREY BOORE 528-3309 Congratulations to Mitchell Heath, who placed seventh in his weight class at the Region 12 High School Wrestling Tournament in Richfield on Feb. 3. Get well wishes to Sandra Heath who recently had surgery. On Feb. 5, the Axtell Ward priests of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—Ben Boore, Bryant Davis, Kade Despain and Mitchell Heath—spent the day snowboarding at Brian Head Ski Area, along with leaders Tyler Blackburn and Quay Mecham. They said there was lots of snow in that area. Elwood and Julia Sorenson attended the naming and blessing of a great-grandson, Brik Mason Brianholdt in the Annabella Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brik’s parents are Tammy Kaye and Lucas Brianholdt of Annabella. Grandparents are Kathy and Ted L. Christensen of Richfield. Have you noticed that the warmer days have the spring flower bulbs peeking through the ground and the new baby calves and lambs in the fields? We hope it doesn’t turn really cold and freeze all the trees and flowers. The Axtell Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted the Stake singles dinner on Thursday, Feb. 10. JoDee Hartley and Chad Boore were winners from the Gunnison Valley Elementary School PTA Reflections Contest and went on to participate in the region contest in Ephraim on Feb. 3. The theme for this year’s contest was “A Different Kind of Hero.” POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Sanpete Messenger, 35 S. Main, Manti, Utah 84642 Editor & Publisher ............................................. Suzanne Dean Associate Publisher .................................................. Lloyd Call Senior Reporter ..................................................... Sean Hales Assignment Reporter .............................................. John Hales Office Manager .................................................. Jacque Marsh Administrative Assistant ............................. Lindsay Kogianes Webmaster .................................................... David Armstrong Staff Manti ................................................. Judy Chantry (835-8010) Ftn. Green, Moroni ............................... C. R. Truitt (445-3326) Gunnison ........................................ Darlene Agren (528-3922) Centerfield ......................................... Elva Jensen (528-3382) Axtell ................................................ Audrey Boore (528-3309) Mayfield .......................................... Margaret Amy (528-7076) Spring City ...................................... Holly Nicholes (462-2758) Staff Writers .......................... Erika Johnson, Kathy Eggleston Sports Writers ........................... Doug Johnson, Jeff Ericksen, Craig Cox and Coaches Photographers ........................... Sean Hales, Vern Buchanan, Peter Goss, Russ Beck Columnists ........................... Roger Baker, Corrie Lynn Player Contributing Writers Jana Wahlquist, Karen Buchanan, Anita Lyons. 59 59 59 59 59 00 FREE $10. ® Wal-Mart/SAMS Shopping Card With your new or transferred prescription *This certificate may only be redeemed at a Wal-Mart/SAM’S CLUB® Pharmacy. This offer is not redeemable for supplies or services paid for in whole or part by any government program. Not negotiable for cash. Offer not valid on transferred prescriptions from another SAM’S CLUB or Wal-Mart Pharmacy. Limit one (1) per household. Offer void where prohibited by law. Subject to rules and conditions printed on this advertisement. May not be combined with any other offer. Offer good through December 31, 2005 Redeemable at your Ephraim Wal-Mart Trans#____________CO Acct 912 Associate init_______