This is your daily news rundown for Monday, August 19. In this edition:
- Utah Republicans want to amend the state constitution to reverse a ruling on ballot initiatives
- Park City is offering free shuttle rides to three popular trailheads
- After a double semitruck collision, a portion of U.S 6 in Spanish Fork Canyon was closed Sunday afternoon
- A semitruck driver has died after rear ending another semitruck
- After being struck by lightning, a fishing boat capsized into the Bear River early Sunday
- USU students are being reminded about parking restrictions in nearby neighborhoods
Utah Republicans want to reverse court ruling on ballot initiatives
3:11 p.m.
Utah Republicans are urging state leaders to amend the constitution in the hopes of reversing a court ruling on ballot initiatives last month.
Several groups sued Utah in 2022 after the state legislature gutted a ballot initiative meant to create an independent redistricting commission. The lawsuit alleged that it the action was unconstitutional and that current maps are gerrymandered.
A district court dismissed the case, but last month, the Utah Supreme Court ruled the lawsuit could go forward, saying there was a limit to how much the legislature can change ballot initiatives.
Now, the Utah Republican Party and other groups want state legislators to call a special session to consider a constitutional amendment that would lessen the power of ballot initiatives.
If lawmakers approve of such an amendment, Utah voters would decide whether to implement it in November’s election.
Park City offers free shuttle rides to popular trailheads
3:11 p.m.
Park City is working to address parking problems at popular trailheads with free shuttle rides.
As part of the city’s Transit to Trails program, free shuttles are running to three trailheads in the Bonanza Flat Conservation Area on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as Fridays starting in September.
The service is designed to reduce single occupancy vehicle trips and improve access to trails without adding more parking, which is reportedly not possible because of how the conservation area has to be managed.
Shuttles reservations can be made online and are first-come, first-serve. Bikes and dogs are welcome.
Double semitruck collision closes down highway
9:18 a.m.
Two semitrucks crashed in Spanish Fork Canyon Sunday afternoon, causing a hazmat situation and closure of the highway.
"U.S. 6 is a semi rollover with minor injuries. The canyon has been shut down due to the fuel spill," said Cpl. Haley Scheer with Utah Highway Patrol.
Scheer confirmed it was a double semi crash and about 6,000 gallons of fuel spilled. The highway was closed in both directions for several hours while crews cleaned up the roadway.
"Traffic is being diverted to (U.S.) 89. Price is closed at Summit," Scheer said.
The road was reopened by 10:30 p.m. There is no information on the cause of the crash.
Semitruck driver dead after rear ending another semitruck
9:18 a.m.
A semitruck driver died after his vehicle hit another semitruck and rolled early Sunday.
About 3:30 a.m., a crash involving two semitrucks was reported on I-15 just outside of Parowan, in Iron County.
Utah Highway Patrol Cpl. Haley Scheer said one semi was northbound when it began to approach another northbound semi ahead, in the right lane. For unknown reasons, the first semi rear-ended the second semi, causing the first truck to veer off the right shoulder and roll.
Scheer said the driver of the semi that rolled sustained fatal injuries in the crash and died at the scene.
Information about the driver of the second semi was not available Sunday afternoon.
Lightning strike capsizes fishing boat into the Bear River
9:18 a.m.
One person is dead after a fishing boat was struck by lightning, capsizing the boat and throwing three people into the Bear River early Sunday.
About 12:10 a.m., deputies with the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a boat being struck by lightning on Bear River in Corinne.
Three men went into the water when the boat was hit, but only two men made it to shore, according to a press release from the sheriff's office. The third person went under the water.
About 5:30 a.m., the body of the third man was located using sonar and rescue divers, the release says. The identities of those involved were not released Sunday.
The two surviving men were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to Chief Deputy Sheriff Cade Palmer.
The death is considered an ongoing investigation.
USU students reminded of parking restrictions in near by neighborhoods
9:18 a.m.
Logan City Parking Enforcement is reminding USU students about parking restrictions in neighborhoods. Signs have been posted to designate areas where residential parking permits are required to park on the street.
Some areas only require a permit Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., but others are enforced 24/7 between Aug. 1 and May 31.
The residential parking permit program took effect in 2017 to prevent parking shortages for people living in residential areas.
Logan residents raised concerns that too many people using university complexes and other large buildings were parking on the street in the surrounding residential and business areas.
The increased demand during school often exceeded the amount of on-street parking for residents and businesses.
Even with a residential parking permit, on-street parking is prohibited during the winter.
