(Salt Lake City)- Due to waning funds and growing caseloads, Utah’s Department of Workforce Services temporarily will close the door to new General Assistance (GA) applicants next Wednesday, May 1. The state-funded GA program provides a monthly payment for up to 12 months to low-income individuals and couples without children who are temporarily or permanently disabled and unable to work. An individual who qualifies can receive $287 per month, a couple $398. In a recent email to low-income advocates, Deputy Director Geoffrey Landward said that DWS "has reached the point where our allocated general fund dollars for the General Assistance Program are insufficient to meet increasing caseload demand."How soon GA applications will be reinstated remains to be seen. DWS will revisit that question after the start of the 2014 fiscal year this July, said Nic Dunn, the department’s public information officer.

　

(Moab-Salt Lake City) KCYN-KCPX News- Planned twice daily bus service between Salt Lake City and Blanding with stops in Moab, Monticello and other communities, has been cancelled. An official with Salt Lake Express tells KCYN-KCPX Radio that a major glitch in the proposed USDOT Federal Grant for the service is the cause..

(Hanna Tape) (problems with costs of handicapped access on every bus)

She says the entire project will have to be rebid and it could be a year before a new contract is awarded.

　

(Moab Utah - Pickertine Ohio) KCYN-KCPX News- The American Motorcyclist Association and other off road side by side and ATV organizations are united in opposing a proposed US Senate Bill and US House Bill called the "Red Rock Wilderness Act." U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.) introduced H.R. 1630, and U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced S. 769, on April 18. The legislation would designate more than 9 million acres of Utah public land as Wilderness. Once land is designated as Wilderness, no vehicles, including motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles or bicycles, are allowed on that land.

The organizations tell us that in the 9.1 million acres are existing OHV riding areas around Moab, the San Rafael Swell and Chimney Rock. These popular OHV areas represent some of the most important remaining OHV recreation areas in Utah, and are some of the most popular with responsible OHV riders. The targeted areas also include existing roads and developments. The groups say Passage of the legislation would have a significant, negative effect on local economies already struggling to recover from the recession.

　

>>Chase Leads To School Lockdown

(Farmington, UT) -- A chance encounter with a burglary suspect led to a school lockdown yesterday. Police say Christian Pyle, wanted on burglary charges, ditched his car near Farmington Junior High after running from police. The school got shut down for about 30 minutes. City manager Dave Millheim says Pyle finally got caught in the mayor's daughter-in-law's garage.

{UTSchoolLockdown} Q....was quickly caught :06.1

Pyle was booked on multiple charges, including drug possession and evading police. He may face charges in Grantsville, Tooele and Salt Lake City, too.

DRAPER, Utah – A woman is in custody after allegedly leading police on a high-speed chase through Salt Lake County. She said she didnt stop ecause she is a "Soveriegn Citizen" and laws don't apply to her. The chase egan in Draper and ended in Salt lake at 6th north when road spikes deployed by troopers blew a tire. She was jailed.


>>Utah Ranks Fourth For Most Stressed

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- It is apparently pretty stressful living in Utah. A new Gallup poll ranked Utah residents as the fourth most-stressed in the country. West Virginians topped the list, while Hawaiians were ranked the least stressed. More than 44-percent of Utah residents said they feel stressed.

>>Lung Association Gives Utah Air Failing Grade

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- Utah's air quality leaves a little to be desired. The American Lung Association gave the state a failing grade for its air quality. Some areas of Utah ranked sixth worst in the country for air quality, including Salt Lake and Weber counties. The state didn't rate well for particle pollution and smog.


>>Governor Engaged In Historic Trade Talks In Israel

(Undated) -- Utah's governor is engaged in a weeklong trip to Israel to discuss future trade. Governor Herbert is participating in what's been called "historic" meetings, including talks with Israeli President Shimon Peres [[ SHEE-moan PEREZ ]]. Peres said he is encouraged by the enthusiasm shown by Herbert.

>>Tourism Safety Conference Underway In Vegas

(Las Vegas, NV) -- The Boston bombings are front and center in Las Vegas this week. Law enforcement and security experts are taking part in conference this week for one simple purpose.

{tarlow1} Q...the probabilities. 5.1

That's Peter Tarlow, an expert on tourism protection and one of the key presenters at the International Tourism Safety Association gathering. The conference allows security experts and law enforcement the opportunity to share ideas on terrorism preparedness, and to examine the latest in surveillance equipment.

　

(Blanding Utah) KCYN-KCPX News

Building bridges through education and cooperation has been a lifelong passion for Shirlee Silversmith, tapped to deliver the commencement address for the Utah State University Eastern Blanding Campus on April 26 at 1 p.m. in the San Juan High School auditorium.
Silversmith heads up the Utah Division of Indian Affairs that focuses on promoting positive intergovernmental relations between the state of Utah and the state’s American Indian tribes. For 20 years prior to that, she worked with the Utah State Office of Education as the Indian Education Specialist.