Southern Utah Agencies Prepare – KSUB News Summary

Southern Utah Agencies Prepare For Worst

(St. George, UT) -- First responders in southern Utah are preparing for worst-case scenarios. A training exercise was held Tuesday at St. George Regional Airport in order to be ready for catastrophic situations or mass-casualty events. Among the exercises included a downed aircraft with fires and victims spread across the scene of the simulated crash site. The simulation of a commercial airline crashing and the St. George airport's response is required every three years. Officials noted this year involved the highest number of participants it has seen.

State Supreme Court Hears Arguments On Proposed Amendment D

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- The Utah Supreme Court will rule on the future of the proposed constitutional Amendment D. The five justices heard oral arguments yesterday concerning the lower court's decision that voided the proposal. Because of printing constraints, the proposal will still appear on ballots this November. A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the legislature's process was initially heard by a 3rd District Court judge who issued a preliminary injunction to void the amendment on September 12th. State attorneys appealed the ruling. Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant adjourned the hearing without offering a time when the opinion will be issued.

>>Barlow Murder Trial Is Now Set For March 2025

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- Kent Cody Barlow, who is accused of killing two toddlers in a 2022 car crash in Eagle Mountain, will go to trial in March 2025. This latest delay comes after the Utah Supreme Court's decision that let Barlow's former defense attorney exit the case due to the death of a family member. The delay is also in connection with the judge in the case looking to retire soon. A new judge will now take over the case. Barlow faces two first-degree murder charges and drug possession.

Utah Death Row Inmate Wants Impartial Prosecutor Chosen

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- A Utah man facing execution by firing squad is seeking to have the Attorney General's office removed from part of his case. Court documents filed this week show death row inmate Ralph Menzies has asked for an impartial prosecutor. He believes the Salt Lake District Attorney's office should handle his current competency proceedings. Menzies was convicted for the 1986 kidnapping and murder of Maurine Hunsaker and was sentenced to death two years later. His attorney argues the AG's office violated the inmate's due process rights by sharing certain privileged information. Menzies' mental fitness for execution will be evaluated in a hearing this November.

LDS Releases Details Concerning Salt Lake Temple Ongoing Renovations

(Salt Lake City, UT) -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is releasing new details regarding its renovation of the Salt Lake Temple. Church leaders say the building will honor the pioneer past of the faith and also provide a worship space. The renovated temple will have two baptistries and 22 sealing rooms used for marriages. Instruction rooms will have added seating. The temple was closed at the end of 2019 for this series of improvements, which are designed to make the temple safer in the event of earthquakes, as well as to increase the temple's capacity and accessibility for members. A reopening is not expected until 2026.