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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, June 21, 2018 • Vol. 128, No. 25 • 75 cents
Trail Mountain fire update
PRICE — What began as the Trail Mountain Prescribed Burn has now grown to affect 14,429 acres, as of press deadline. The fire is considered to be 43 percent contained. Several area closures are in effect including forest roads, trails, campgrounds and at times State Road 31 (SR31) in Huntington Canyon has been closed. The fire is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Orangeville. Background On June 6, a prescribed burn area fire escaped and went across Cottonwood Canyon Road to East Mountain and initially burned 300 acres. Fire crews had been working to keep the fire contained, but on the evening of June 10, high winds hit the ridgetops with wind gusts of 55 miles per hour, which grounded all aircraft and pushed the fire northeast into Meetinghouse Canyon. The fire also moved south to Whetstone Creek where a cabin was burned June 11. The fire has been burning in mixed conifer, with large amounts of standing, bug-killed trees and downed timber. Juniper and sage have also burned but only in the most severe conditions. Columns of heavy smoke have been visible in local communities and residents have traveled into Huntington Canyon at times to get a glimpse of the fire. Fire management The Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 was initially used for fire suppression, but on June 13, due to the increased complexity of the fire, a Type 2 Incident Management Team was brought in to relieve local resources. Under Incident Commander Tim Roide, the firefighters continued full suppression efforts on the fire, utilizing ground and aerial resources. The team’s objectives have included keeping the fire west of Huntington Canyon Road (SR31) and minimizing
Trail Mountain fire as viewed from State Road 31 on June 14 in Huntington Canyon. (Photo courtesy of InciWeb)
Forest Service water trucks have been regularly refilling at Potter’s Ponds as part of the effort to contain the Trail Mountain Fire located east of the impact to private property, infra- Potter’s. Helicopters have also used the pond to refill their buckets. (Photo structure and natural resources. by Ray LaFollette, The Pyramid) An incident command post was established at Emery High School in Castle Dale, to provide firefighters with food, water, sleeping areas, medical supplies, and other support. To save on travel time, some firefighters established a spike camp in the forest away from the Incident Command Post. Resources Firefighting resources used have included as many as eight helicopters, 23 fire engines, water tanker trucks and 15 crews containing over 600 personnel and vehicles. Residents and visitors to the Castle Dale area have dealt with increased traffic in and around the area and along SR31. Firefighters and equipment have worked in close proximity to SR31 and it has been periodically closed due to conditions including poor visibility from smoke inversions. Operations Firefighters are using natural and manmade barriers to help contain the fire perimeter and reduce firefighter risk in the thick brush and timber. Heavy haul Chinook helicopter transporting water from Potter’s Ponds for use on the Trail Mountain Fire. (Photo courtesy of InciWeb) Please see FIRE, Page A6
North Sanpete High School Class of 1968 celebrates 50th reunion
John Coltharp plead guilty to sodomy and child bigamy charges June 13 in Sixth District Court. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled Aug. 8. (Photo courtesy Sanpete County Jail)
Prophet of Utah doomsday cult pleads guilty to child bigamy SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A selfstyled prophet who helped lead a Utah doomsday cult that believed in polygamy is pleading guilty to sodomy and child bigamy charges. John Coltharp agreed to the plea deal in a courtroom in Manti June 13 in exchange for prosecutors dropping kidnapping and obstruction of justice charges. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 8. He faces up to life in prison. Authorities say the 34-year-old formed a group called the Knights of the Crystal Blade with his friend Samuel W. Shaffer and each man believed himself to be married to two young girls. Prosecutors say both men held the title of prophet at different points. Shaffer was sentenced in May to up to life in prison. A third man who joined the group after meeting its founders on Facebook was charged with child sexual abuse last week.
Ring found, two bikes stolen North Sanpete High School Class of 1968 recently held their 50th reunion. Class members are front row (left to right): Catherine Prestwich Roberts, Loren Wilson, Eddy Jean Bench Coates, Ralph Bench, Warren Bailey, Lorraine Nielson Bailey and Rian Anderson. Middle row: Selena Anderson Walker, Lona Shelley Hardy, Nancy Hill Hammerschmidt, Tom Dyches, Susan Christensen Anderson, Ronald Brewer, LuDean Bortherson Parish, David Lund, Orson Cook, David Christensen, Eddi Nelson Bailey, Jeanine Allred Christensen, Pamela Watson Jorgensen, Jimmy Christensen, Blake Donaldson, Meredith Cook Justesen, Camille Madsen Nunley, Kathy Giles Larsen and Paul Larsen. Back row: Carolyn Llewelyn Seely, Valerie Yorgason, Renae Christensen Fisher, Terry Taylor Christensen, Doris Blackham Finlinsen, Sharon Syndergaard Christensen, Eddie Staker, Scott Seely, Russel Oakey, Wally Coates, Duane Hansen, John Irons, John Brothersen, Gregory Johnson, Terry Brotherson, Gerald Justesen, Ruth Black Benson, Ronald Nunley and Richard Olsen. (Photo courtesy of Rian Anderson)
Rules to be enforced for off-highway vehicles on roads GUNNISON — Gunnison Valley Police Department has been receiving a continual stream of complaints about kids driving Off-Highway Vehicles and motorcycles on the streets. The department has announced that steps to correct the problem are to be implemented. The department recognizes that in rural Utah there has generally
been a slightly more relaxed policy on this issue, but this has become a continual problem and is being dealt with. Residents and those visiting the area are being advised to note that both Gunnison and Centerfield have laws and ordinances regulating the use of ATVs on the roadway. The police will be strictly enforc-
ing these laws across the board. All ATV/OHV drivers must have a driver’s license to drive on the roadway and all other traffic laws must be followed. The department will start with an educational campaign by generally issuing warning notices prior to issuing a citation. Police want to make this valley a
safe and peaceful place for all citizens and with the summer months, many concerns have filtered into the department. All parents who help with this matter are appreciated. For specific laws and ordinances, contact the Gunnison Police Department at (435) 528-5532 or Centerfield Police Department at (435) 528-5511.
EPHRAIM — A small ladies diamond ring was found at Walmart and brought into the Ephraim Police Department. Police are seeking the owner, those who may have lost this ring are encouraged to call (435) 283-4602 and identify the ring. In addition, two bikes were stolen in Ephraim last weekend. Police are requesting help and asking people to be on the lookout for the following bikes: A 21 speed black Mongoose and a black, green and blue Devinci mountain bike. Anyone with information regarding these bikes are asked to call the Ephraim City Police Department (435) 283-4602 or Sanpete County Dispatch (435) 835-2345.
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