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thePyramid We A r e S a n p e t e . c o m
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We A r e S a n p e t e . c o m Thursday, January 17, 2019 • Vol. 129, No. 3 • 75 cents
Large crime ring uncovered by Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office MANTI — Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating several cases over the past few months which have finally reached a conclusion. These cases were submitted to the county attorney’s office for prosecution Jan. 9. According to the official statement received from the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office, while attempting to make contact with a wanted subject on Nov. 7, 2018, a large crimes ring was uncovered that spans many jurisdictions. On that date, Deputies Pace and Anderson, having knowledge of an outstanding warrant, attempted to make contact with Breonna Thurston at a residence north of Ephraim in Sanpete County. The deputies were able to make contact with Thurston and she was arrested on an outstanding warrant. During the apprehension, Deputy Pace noticed a large amount of ammunition and firearm accessories in the residence. Having knowledge that the owner of the residence was a known felon, a search warrant was obtained to search the home for possession of firearms by a restricted person. During this search, drug paraphernalia was found and another search warrant was obtained to locate additional drugs and contraband. While conducting the search, Sgt. Jensen observed numerous items that matched the description of items listed as stolen in a separate case being investigated by Deputy Lewis. Deputy Lewis was contacted and
With the discovery of a large crime ring operating out of Sanpete, thousands of stolen items including firearms were recovered by Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office investigators during a search of a residence north of Ephraim and two storage units located in the Gunnison area. (Photo by Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office) conferred with the victims in his case who positively identified numerous items located at the residence. Deputy Lewis then obtained an additional search warrant to locate stolen items at the residence. A subsequent warrant was obtained the following day to search two storage units located in the Gunnison area. The results of the search warrants found thousands of stolen items including two stolen firearms. One of the stolen firearms (handgun) was recovered in a vehicle at
the residence, and the other (AR15 rifle) had been sold but has since been recovered. Victims in this case span numerous jurisdictions including Sevier County, Richfield City, Salina City, Gunnison City, Ephraim City, Mt. Pleasant City, and Sanpete County. At the residence, Sean Clark was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice and has subsequently plead guilty and has been sentenced. Wyatt Clark, also at the residence, was charged with possession of controlled substance/drug para-
phernalia and has plead guilty and has been sentenced. Another adult male, Chris Brown, was arrested on a probation violation and was also charged with possession of a controlled substance. Breonna Thurston has been charged with 22 counts that include unlawful use or possession of a financial transaction card, burglary, theft, identity theft, forgery, and possession of a stolen firearm. She also had outstanding charges of DUI and possession of controlled substances in Sanpete County. Garrett Clark has been charged with 16 counts that also include unlawful use or possession of a financial transaction card, burglary, theft, identity theft, forgery, and possession of a stolen firearm. Clark also had outstanding charges of possession of a firearm by a restricted person and possession of controlled substances in the jurisdiction of Utah County. Chris Thurston was charged with four counts of burglary and theft, and is currently completing a sentence at the Sanpete County Jail on a separate conviction. To date, multiple other jurisdictions are conducting investigations that may be related to this case. In total, 10 Sanpete County Deputies were involved with the case, including the investigation and serving of search warrants. The officers are Sgt. Jensen, Sgt. Buchanan, Deputy Pace, Deputy Anderson, Deputy Lewis, Deputy Larsen, Deputy Jimenez, Deputy Powell, Deputy Rasmussen and Deputy Adams.
MP Council hears reports, gives travel approval CHERYL K. BREWER
The Pyramid
MT. PLEASANT—City council members covered various topics during the Jan. 8 regular council meeting. Snow College Planetarium extended an invitation to city employees and their families to attend a private show in the Graham Science Center. Several employees had expressed a desire to attend. Travel Travel approval was given to Shane Ward, power superintendent, Natalie Burnside and Marilu Zamudio to attend the PLX metering system training in February. The training is hands-on and Ward felt the training would
greatly benefit the office personnel too. Ward was also approved to attend a conference in Colorado Springs in April for an RP3 designation. Personnel policy upgrade Mayor Dan Anderson expressed a desire to form a committee of two council members to upgrade the personnel policy handbook. He said the last revision was done in 2012. Both Heidi Kelso and Keith Collier expressed a desire to serve. Councilman Justin Atkinson asked if the policy review can be done in parts so it’s not so overwhelming and does need legal review before adopting. Council reports Justin Atkinson said he has been working with Monte Bona on the EDA
Grant. Some survey has been completed and property corners have been done. Kevin Stallings said work is progressing on rail cars. The first one should be complete about the middle of February. Power hookup installations will be started to the rail cars this week. Keith Collier met with Matt Christensen, representative of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, concerning the library property. The city plans to pour concrete to the southwest corner of the property to alleviate flooding the library basement. Collier said the church may allow shared parking to the east of the building. Christensen said he wanted utility
easements in place and suggested getting that issue straightened out soon. Collier also said ADA accessibility at the library should be addressed again, possibly seeking a grant. Collier also suggested stuccoing the east side of the recreation center instead of painting it every year and installing hand rails inside the building. Mayor Anderson praised the public works department for snow plowing the roads. He reminded citizens that water is supposed to run off the roads to reduce potholes. Other business Shane Ward, power superintendent, also reported that Unit #3 had rocks in the turbine and would soon be back online.
Free film festival comes to Fountain Green Theatre FOUNTAIN GREEN — The completely free, Short and Sweet Film Festival will take place Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18 – 19, in the Fountain Green Community Theatre, 60 South State. Local families are encouraged to come watch several short films from producers and filmmakers around the world. Saturday evening there will be an awards show and potluck meet and greet where everyone is welcome to bring a dish to share and meet filmmakers and actors. The feature length film, “Not Cin- The public is encouraged to attend the free Short and Sweet Film Festival on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18-19, derella’s Type”, will be shown on Fri- in the Fountain Green Community Theatre, 60 South State. Several short films from producers and filmmakers day, at 7 p.m. This is the award-win- will be shown non-stop. In addition, the feature film, “Not Cinderella’s Type” will be presented. ning book-turned-feature film, released in 2018, written by bestselling The public is welcome to come see resident in the film. Many of the exThe Short and Sweet Film Festival author, Jenni James, from Fountain the movie, and who knows, viewers tras in “Not Cinderella’s Type” were Green. might just recognize a local Sanpete from Sanpete County. Please see FILM, Page A6
Bradley J. Cook
Bradley J. Cook named 17th president of Snow College EPHRAIM — Utah Board of Regents has unanimously selected Bradley J. Cook as the 17th president of Snow College. “Dr. Cook is a nationally respected scholar and dynamic leader in higher education,” said Harris Simmons, Chair of the Board of Regents. “His experience, vision, and dedication to academic excellence will ensure Snow College continues to thrive in the years ahead.” President Cook was selected after a 22-member presidential search committee, co-chaired by Regent Mark Stoddard and Snow College Trustee Chair Scott Bushnell, narrowed an extensive pool of applicants to four finalists. “President Cook first arrived at Snow’s campus as a freshman a number of years ago. Now Snow College will greatly benefit from his significant experience in higher education and strong commitment to student Please see COOK, Page A6
Treat ’N Speak exposes students to career choices at NSHS JORI TURPIN
The Pyramid
MT. PLEASANT — North Sanpete High School’s (NSHS) Administration have started a new series for students called Treat ’N Speak. The sessions take place from 9:34 to 10 a.m., every Wednesday, and allow local industry giants to share their experiences and expertise with the students of NSHS. Over the past year, students have had the opportunity to hear from locals who have started their own businesses, and others who are involved in successful careers. According to Assistant Principal Jeff Ericksen, the presenters “include information about their career fields, what it takes to become a part of that career as far as education and experience, approximate earnings in the field and what they like and dislike about what they do.” Please see NSHS, Page A6
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