KCYN-KCPX News 21Sept2012 Friday

(Moab Utah)
Moab Regional Hospital is experiencing financial woes and the hospital’s board of directors has agreed to bring in an outside health care consulting and hospital management firm to help the hospital develop a system to better manage finances and work through the current financial shortfall, according to Roy Barraclough, chief executive officer for MRH.
Officials with the Canyonlands Care Center said the extended-care facility is also in the midst of a budget crisis. Officials said that facility is operating $15,000 to $50,000 in the red each month
The MRH board’s decision to hire Quorum Intensive Resources (QIR) was based on a recommendation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provides insurance on the hospital’s mortgage loan with U.S. Bank. In May 2012, depleted cash reserves forced hospital executives to choose between paying MRH employees or the facility’s mortgage. In choosing to pay the payroll, the hospital became two days past the initial grace period on its then-due mortgage payment, prompting HUD to get involved, Barraclough said.
>>Two-Alarm Fire Spreads To Two Homes In Taylorsville

(Taylorsville, UT) -- Six people are looking for places to stay after a two-alarm fire in Taylorsville yesterday afternoon. The fire started in a garage near 3785 West and 5585 South. It quickly spread to a house next door, which took the worst of the damage before it was all over. Damage is estimated at 250-thousand dollars and a remodeling project may have started the fire.

>>Fight Over Blenders Yields Millions To Orem Company

(Orem, UT) -- The Utah company famous for asking "will it blend" is getting richer. An appeals court is upholding the damages awarded to Orem-based K-TEC Incorporated. K-TEC sued another company for infringing on patents for its powerful line of blenders. The judgement was for 22-million, but the "Deseret News" reports the amount is now more than 24-million because of interest.

>>Utah Boy Scouts Reminded Of Political Policy After Romney Visit

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- Utah Boy Scouts leaders are being reminded about the organization's policy against political activities. The warning came after a group of uniformed Boy Scouts lined up to meet Mitt Romney at the airport this week when he stopped in Utah for fundraisers. The policy says scouts should avoid situations where it appears they're endorsing candidates. Even the Utah Democratic Party chairman tells the "Salt Lake Tribune" the visit was harmless and the scouts had a great opportunity to become engaged in politics.

>>Air Quality Improving Just In Time For The Weekend

(Undated) -- The air quality in Utah is getting better, just in time for the weekend. The Division of Air Quality is calling today a yellow day for air quality. Earlier in the week, most of the Wasatch Front was covered by an unhealthy red warning. Skies have been smoky this week thanks to a weather front that is blowing in smoke from wildfires in Idaho.

>>New MoTab President Wants Young Adult Playlists

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- The new president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir wouldn't mind hearing some songs geared toward younger adults. Ron Jarrett tells the "Deseret News" he won't go as far as hip-hop just yet, but he would like to hear the choir perform something with more of a beat. He says the goal of the choir is to reach as many people possible through music, so it makes sense to diversify the songs the 360 members perform.

>>Long Unknown Mount Olympus Remains Identified

(Undated) -- Investigators in Illinois looking into the John Wayne Gacy serial killer case say they've been able to identify remains found on Mount Olympus, which for three decades have gone unknown. The family of Daniel Noe has been informed the remains found in Utah in 1978 indeed belong to their son. Using DNA evidence the investigators now think it's a possibility that Noe is another of the serial killer's long list of victims. Noe was 22 that year when investigators say he disappeared while hitchhiking to his Illinois home from a summer job in Washington State. Gacy has been tied to as many as 33 murders, mostly of young men he picked up in the neighborhoods of Cook County, Illinois.

>>Hebert Declares State Of Emergency In Santa Clara

(Santa Clara, UT) -- Utah Governor Gary Hebert is declaring a state of emergency for the area affected by floods in Santa Clara. The Governor toured the area yesterday left heavily damaged by floods. Estimates are damages in Santa Clara, Ivins and St. George will approach four-million dollars. If Hebert's declaration is approved by President Obama burdened residents would become eligible for federal assistance.

>>Former Green Beret Will Remain In Utah Custody

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- An ex-Green Beret accused of bilking millions-of-dollars from the government will remain in custody in Utah. The "Tribune" says Michael Taylor of Boston will be kept here through a military contract. Taylor and a second man plead guilty this week to allegations they conspired a scheme that allegedly generated 54-million dollars in payments for maintaining vehicles and training commandos in Afghanistan.