BLACKFOOT, Idaho/Moab Utah (AP) — The Associated Press this morning is reporting that the school board in Blackfoot agreed in April to a $210,000 contract buyout with the district's former superintendent who is now the Moab-Grand County School Superintendent. The Blackfoot Board then took steps to keep the payments secret, according to documents the district released under a court order Monday.The Blackfoot School District 55 released a separation agreement and other records as part of an open records lawsuit filed by former teacher Joyce Bingham and the Post Register in Idaho Falls.
Last week, Sixth District Judge David Nye ruled in favor of Bingham and the newspaper and ordered the district to make public documents related to the separation agreement reached in April with then-superintendent Scott Crane. The records show the board agreed to make two payments of $105,428 to Crane for the remaining two years of his contract. Crane was not a named in the lawsuit.
To ensure no one found out about the deal, the Blackfoot Board tried to hide the document in Crane's personnel file, which is protected by state statute. The board of trustees on Monday also admitted to breaking Idaho open meeting law twice while drafting the separation agreement.
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>>Help Needed Finding Alleged Attempted Kidnapper

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- Salt Lake-area authorities need the public's help finding the man wanted for an attempted kidnapping. The man allegedly tried to abduct a seven-year-old girl Monday along Main Street near 26-hundred South around eight in the morning. Police say the man is believed to be between 20- and 40-years-of-age, five-nine in height and 180-pounds with "scruffy facial hair." If you think you know who the suspect is, call police at 801-840-4000.

>>Ogden Food Stamp Scam Busted Up By Feds

(Ogden, UT) -- A food stamp scam perpetrated in Ogden nets nearly nine-million dollars for the crooks involved. According to federal documents unsealed following yesterday's arrests two Ogden markets and several people connected are accused of bilking the government and taxpayers out of millions in illegal benefits. The markets involved are the Westside Valley Market on West 24th Street and the 9th Street Corner Market - both in Ogden. Six people were arrested yesterday - one in Salt Lake City and two more in California. The suspects face charges including wire fraud, benefits program fraud and conspiracy.
　
　
　

>>Hostage Situation In Magna Comes To End

(Magna, UT) -- The scene of an apparent hostage situation in Magna ends without conflict. Authorities say police were able to peacefully apprehend a man wanted for keeping his girlfriend hostage inside a home there. The scene west of Salt Lake City in the community of Magna ended around 10 p.m. when SWAT officers forced their way inside and took Toby Ward into custody. Ward could face kidnapping charges today.

>>LDS Feminists Want Women To 'Wear Pants To Church'

(Undated) -- A group of Mormons are promoting something called "Wear Pants To Church Day" this weekend. According to the "Tribune," a feminist group calling itself All Enlist wants all sister Saints around the world to join them this Sunday by wearing pants to service. Female Mormon missionaries are prohibited from wearing pants except on days off. The group claims to be dedicated to gender equality within the LDS Church.

>>Gas Prices Drop Dramatically In Utah

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- Gas prices are down dramatically in Utah. Travel services company AAA Utah reports they've fallen 32 cents in the last month. The average in the state for regular, unleaded today is three-40, below the three-72 average a month ago. Prices in Utah and other states are expected to decrease to three-dollars-a-gallon or less for the holidays.

>>Group Pushes Governor To Reject Water Deal With Nevada

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- A group of people in Snake Valley and environmental groups are urging Utah's governor to reject a water agreement with Nevada. In a letter to Governor Gary Herbert, they said the water-sharing deal between the two states could dewater aquifers beneath the West Desert's Snake Valley. The "Salt Lake Tribune" reports the proposed agreement says how much water the Southern Nevada Water Authority can pump once it finishes a pipeline to bring Snake Valley groundwater to Las Vegas.

>>Documentary Will Reveal History Of Downtown Of Salt Lake

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- People can learn about Salt Lake City's history as it gets ready to plan its future. "Salt Lake City: A Downtown Story" was produced by KUED-TV and will be screened for free Thursday night at the city's main library auditorium. The "Salt Lake Tribune" reports the documentary shows the history of Blocks 75 and 76, which are now home to City Creek Center. The city wants public input on its master plan update.

　
　
MAGNA — A hostage situation ended peacefully just before 10 p.m. Tuesday after police said a man barricaded himself in a home with his girlfriend.
Toby L. Ward, 40, was interviewed and booked into Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of the incident, including alleged kidnapping.
A SWAT team was called to a home near 3200 South 7700 West to attempt to contact Ward who was allegedly holding his girlfriend hostage. When communication could not be established, the SWAT team forced entry, taking Ward into custody without incident and finding the woman unharmed.
Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal said it had not been confirmed whether there were weapons in the room where the two had been locked up for hours, but it was likely the man was armed. Officers have dealt with Ward in the past, Hoyal said.
　LEHI — Lehi Roller Mills has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection following a series of financial troubles in recent years.
The Roller Mills is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Utah County, but the owners are in financial trouble. They filed for bankruptcy Dec. 6 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, company spokesperson Rick Brown confirmed Tuesday.
The company has been in financial trouble since 2009, when its accounts were frozen and a line of credit withdrawn to prevent budget shortages. A lawsuit was filed earlier this year after the company failed to pay employees, but the suit was dropped after employees were paid.
　Washington • Utah will soon have two voices on the House Natural Resources Committee. The panel announced Tuesday that Rep.-elect Chris Stewart will join the committee, which counts Rep. Rob Bishop as a senior member.
Stewart also expects to sit on the House’s Homeland Security and the Science, Space and Technology committees. And it is likely that Bishop will rejoin the House Armed Services Committee.