>>Utah Considers Shutdown's Economic Impact

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- With new data in hand, Utah officials say they can reflect on the state's economic hardships resulting from the federal government's shutdown. The "Tribune" says a Utah economist has estimated the state lost nearly 30-million-dollars during the 16-day shutdown. Most of the losses resulted from the shutdown's influence on statewide tourism. Reduced consumer confidence also contributed to the financial hardship.

>>Arrest Made In WVC Burger King Rape Case

(West Valley City, UT) -- Police in West Valley City say they've made an arrest in connection with an alleged rape at a Burger King over the weekend. Authorities say Justin Loyd Martinez was arrested yesterday on suspicion of rape, assault and kidnapping. Investigators say Martinez followed the victim into the restaurant's bathroom where she was assaulted as her friends were buying food.

>>Herbert Presents Future Views Of Wasatch Front

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- Utah Governor Gary Herbert is showing off the state's vision for the next 30 years along the Wasatch Front. The state estimates the Wasatch Front will undergo a wild growth rate of nearly 70-percent over the next three decades. Herbert said yesterday his assemblage of political and business leaders has researched what the Front may look like in the near and distant future. It's thought that most of the Front's population will center around high-density town centers aided by numerous mass transit stations engineered to efficiently transport residents.

>>Kansas Man Dies Alone, Stranded In Utah Desert

(Green River, UT) -- Authorities in rural central Utah are painting a picture of the slow and lonely demise of a Kansas man seemingly stranded following a single-vehicle accident. The "Salt Lake Tribune" says the family of David Welch from Manhattan, Kansas filed their missing persons report September 2nd after Welch drove off in a Pontiac van. Authorities say the van was only discovered by a hitchhiker weeks later upside down in a ravine along a barren stretch of Interstate 70. Inside the van officers found love notes apparently written by Welch to his family during the days leading to his death. Investigators say they believe Welch crashed into the ravine and landed far enough away from any traffic that nobody saw him until a hitchhiker stumbled upon his remains more than a month later.

>>Man Dies In Crash Along Utah-Wyoming Border

(Undated) -- A traffic crash along the Utah-Wyoming border has claimed the life of an Eagle Mountain resident. The "Tribune" says 32-year-old Jeff Ryan was killed upon impact yesterday when the pickup truck he was riding in side-swiped a semi-trailer about 30-miles east of the town of Evanston. The driver of the pickup told State Troopers that he didn't see the semi-trailer until it was too late.

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>>H-S Teacher Arrested For Having Sex With Student

(Kaysville, UT) -- A teacher from Davis High School in Kaysville is under arrest for alleged sexual relations with a student. Authorities charged 34-year-old Brianne Altice with two-counts of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. The 17-year-old student told police he and Altice had sexual relations numerous times during a two-year span. Police arrested Altice this week after the teen accurately described to officers the tattoos on Altice's body and the layout of her home.

>>L-D-S, Scouts Celebrate 100-Years Together

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- The L-D-S Church is celebrating its 100-year partnership with the Boy Scouts of America. The Salt Lake-based church is considered the largest sponsor of Boy Scout troops in Utah as more than 90-percent of Scouts in this state consider themselves Mormon. The two sides celebrated their long relationship during a conference last night in downtown Salt Lake City.

>>Car Experts Make Winter-Ready Suggestions

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- Auto mechanics in Salt Lake City say now is the best time to get your vehicle ready for winter. Experts tell KSL-TV one of the most important winter preparations is tire up-keep. They say car owners should make sure their vehicle's tires are properly inflated. They also say it's best to be fitted for snow tires before any fLakes start flying. Mechanics also advise car owners to buy new windshield wiper blades in time for winter precipitation.


>>Father Of Vikes RB Asiata Dies In Utah Accident

(Eden Prairie, MN) -- The father of Minnesota Vikings running back Matt Asiata has passed away. The "Salt Lake Tribune" reports the elder Asiata was the driver of a charter bus that slammed into the back of a construction vehicle on Interstate 80 in Utah east of the capital city. The 53-year-old Asiata was killed when the force of the collision drove a piece of heavy equipment on the back of the truck through the drivers' side window and caused massive chest trauma. The younger Asiata, a second-year back from the University of Utah, has yet to catch a pass or carry the ball in six appearances this season.



CASTLE DALE — The Emery County Attorney's Office confirmed Tuesday that it is investigating the "unique" case of two Utah Boy Scout leaders who pushed over a rock formation in Goblin Valley State Park.

Emery County Attorney David Blackwell and deputy county attorney Brent Langston recently joined state park officials to review the site where Highland residents Dave Hall and Glenn Taylor pushed over a "goblin" formation, also known as a "hoodoo." The men later posted a video of the incident online, which went viral and got worldwide attention