How mental health staffing shortages are delaying justice in Utah’s courts

SALT LAKE COUNTY — Unhealthy air is still affecting Utah and its residents, and the recent snow storms and other factors are not helping much. According to Randy Martin, a Utah State University professor, there are several reasons why the air quality was terrible on Saturday. “For the last...

SALT LAKE CITY — Rep Kera Birkeland, a Republican representing Morgan, has introduced HB-297 that she claims addresses the issues of abortion access and services for rape victims in Utah the Deseret News reported Friday. Read the full story here. Her sister, Samantha Hansen, is a rape survivor. She...

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A missing girl from Arizona has been found while a Utah man, who is listed on the sex offender registry, has been arrested. Jordan Sorenson was on probation with Adult Probation and Parole at the time of his arrest. According to a press release...

SALT LAKE CITY — Lawmakers have unveiled a number of school safety bills after hearing concerns from their constituents. They say Utahns are especially concerned about their children following violent incidents happening on campuses across the country. The five Republican representatives said they want students to feel safe at...

SALT LAKE CITY – They thought it was a steal. Turns out, several families got scammed. While Derek Clark Johanson now faces multiple felony charges for selling stolen construction equipment to unwitting Utahns, his alleged victims argue he’s been given too many chances by the judicial system. Stay-at-home-mom...

SALT LAKE CITY — Two Utah County men, as well as an accounting business in Provo, have been charged with a COVID-related tax fraud scheme totaling more than $11 million. According to court documents, Zachary Bassett, 39, of Provo, Mason Warr, 37, of Vineyard, and COS Accounting & Tax LLC, dba 1099 Tax Pros prepared and submitted “more than one thousand tax forms to the IRS, claiming in excess of $11 million in false and fraudulent Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and sick and family leave wage credits for clients of COS Accounting.”

SALT LAKE CITY — Buk Mowat Buk was ordered Friday to stand trial for aggravated murder in the killing of University of Utah football player Aaron Lowe at a party after a 2021 game. Third District Judge Paul Parker ruled there was enough evidence to send the case to...

This article is published through the Great Salt Lake Collaborative, a solutions journalism initiative that partners news, education, and media organizations to help inform people about the plight of the Great Salt Lake—and what can be done to make a difference before it is too late. Read all of our stories at greatsaltlakenews.org.

PLEASANT GROVE, Utah — If he could have it his way, fifth grader James Cope would wear a baseball cap every single day. From his favorite teams to his favorite city, there is no shortage of decorated baseball caps in the 10-year-old’s closet. “I really like my hats,”...

HIGHLAND, Utah — The owner of Rad Swim in Highland is warning Utah families after she says a man exposed himself to her associate and several young girls in her store Monday evening. “I’m honestly devastated and heartbroken, I feel so bad for these girls,” said Michelle Shumway, owner,...

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Unclaimed Property Division received $77.2 million in lost property in 2022. The money comes from places like dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, safe deposit box contents, unpaid insurance benefits, and overpaid medical bills. This means that there may be money waiting for you...

UPDATE: The Salt Lake City Police Department arrested Taddy Avalon Jackman overnight, according to a press release. Police said they conducted a “follow-up on this case around Fayette Avenue and 200 West. While in the area, the officers worked with community members and found Jackman,” the release said.

DAVIS COUNTY, Utah — A building at Hill Air Force Base was evacuated Thursday morning after an “unusual smell” was detected. According to an official statement from the base, the smell was detected at approximately 9:40 a.m. The building was then evacuated. After the evacuation, an “undetermined”...

SALT LAKE CITY — Two men were arrested Thursday for the fatal shooting of a 35-year-old man in the Glendale neighborhood according to Salt Lake City Police Department. Oliver Spencer Avila-Jimenez, 23, will face charges of murder and obstruction of justice. Julio Steven Cardona, 30, will face charges of...

WEST JORDAN, Utah — A jury has found a Sandy mother guilty of abusing her young son and causing his death. Reyna Flores-Rosales called 911 on Feb. 25, 2019, to report that her 6-year-old son Norlin needed emergency medical care. As doctors treated the boy, they found he had many wounds, in various stages of healing, including a severe burn.

MIDVALE, Utah — A police pursuit resulted in damages to three Unified Police Department cars and three civilian cars Thursday night. According to Sgt. Melody Cutler with Unified police, a woman, with multiple warrants for their arrest, fled from UPD Wednesday night. Cutler said the woman has a history...

SALT LAKE CITY — A man was killed in a stabbing Thursday on Main Street in Salt Lake City. According to Salt Lake City Police Department, the investigation began at 3:43 p.m. when dispatch was informed about a stabbing at Palmer Court, located at 999 S. Main Street. When...

SANDY, Utah — There were no problems Thursday morning. Traffic moved along Sandy’s main roads near Little Cottonwood Canyon just fine. But Daniella Belsheim knows it’s coming. “It’s a little bit frustrating because I take my girls to school in the morning, and then on my way...

SANDY, Utah — Marshall Seal is happy to give to worthy causes, but he would rather not give his money to fraudsters. “I had been taken for money before,” Seal told us. “Willingly gave it to him.”. So, when a post came up recently from someone claiming...

EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Utah — Thirty some years ago in Utah, the decision to put a baby girl up for adoption was made. Since then, a dad’s search to find his daughter never stopped. Neither did hers. A couple years before they met, they nearly crossed paths with one...