Top Stories Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Grouse Creek youngster garners more acclaim, featured in Governor's State of the State address
Although Heston Warr prefers music to doing chores, he helps his dad with feeding, fencing and other duties on the ranch. He enjoys the cattle drives with family and friends and is involved with 4-H and raising and showing his steers. Courtesy photo.
Our little town prodigy, Heston Warr, has managed to climb a few more stairs of success since we wrote of him last, close to a year ago. Heston was receiving piano lessons from Nedra Bedke of Oakley when he won a piano competition in Burley, Idaho, last April.
It was there his talent was discovered with professionals in awe that he had only been playing for eight months. After that, it didn't take long for him to make his way to Utah State University where he remains under the wing of Professor Gary Amano, director of Piano Program and Instruction. Heston considered this step to be a great honor, but his highest privilege yet surfaced last Wednesday at the State Capital.
Governor Gary Herbert's office called the Warr home a couple of weeks ago and asked if it would be okay for Governor Herbert to include Heston and his mom, Heather, founder of StandUpRanchers.com, in the State of the State address.
"I will actually have the chance to perform on a Steinway!" Heston said of one of the highlights he was looking forward to. The walls of the Warr home were filled with yet more excitement and honor. The tailored tuxedo with a tail, at Heston's request, was put on a rush order.
Heston has always been an over achiever in about everything he has had the interest to tackle. In the third grade, here was this little guy coming to the library, checking out big thick Harry Potter books, more often than not. In no time at all, he had the available sequels read and was waiting patiently for the next one to come to the library or catch it at the Bookmobile...more
With policy change seniors might
not 'walk' but can still get diploma
A policy change which passed 'first reading' with the Box Elder County School Board would deny students with unsatisfactory citizenship grades the opportunity to walk across the stage for commencement exercises, but they would still receive their diploma if they have met all other requirements.
Under the current Policy 4075, Earning Credit, the diploma can be withheld from a senior with a "U" in citizenship.
With the proposed change, the unsatisfactory grade would have to be made up prior to graduation in order to participate in commencement exercises.
At the present time, students may buy their way out of a failing citizenship grade or work it off before graduation.
During discussion at last week's meeting, board members stated that to some students, this was an out and may belittle the importance of citizenship. Holding a student responsible for behavior is important.
After passing the policy on the first reading, board member Karen Cronin observed this should be just the beginning of exploration into policies concerning tardies and attendance throughout the district.
When asked for his opinion on the issue, student board member Spencer Francis stated that there "was no teeth in the policy as it is." Cronin shared some remarks from those concerned with the tardy and absence issues which included the idea of allowing teachers more input in making up a tardy, and taking away student free time. At the present time, each school includes in its handbook a citizenship credit and remediation procedures.
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News Briefs
'Losers' motivate H2U members
Sisters Hannah Curlee (left) and Olivia Ward are winners of the 11th season of The Biggest Loser. They visited Brigham City last week and spoke to members of H2U, an affiliate with Brigham City Community Hospital. The program helps members take charge of their health and participate in prevention and wellness activites. Hannah works for H2U and she and Olivia have been visiting H2U members throughout the country. Both women said that losing weight successfully includes the proper mental attitude along with exercise and keeping track of everything they eat. The sisters exercise 90 minutes a day, six days a week. Hannah eats 1,800 calories a day. They eat healthier food as well and those habits have carried over to their families. Both their parents and a sister have lost weight. According to an article featuring the women in the H2U magazine, the combined weight loss of family members is over 400 pounds. Losing weight and keeping it off is all about life changes, not dieting. The sisters spent 10 years trying every diet they heard about and nothing worked. On the Biggest Loser Ranch, the sisters learned to eat healthier foods, to exercise, to ask for help and to change their outlook. Hannah said that when they got to the ranch, just walking up the hill to the gym was difficult and she was sweating profusely. "After the fist day I wanted to kill her (Olivia) for getting me on the show," Hannah told the audience. A lot has changed since then. The best eating advice she got was to shop the perimeter of the store and stay away from the frozen and prepared foods.
Mayor to give State of the City Address
Brigham City Mayor Dennis Fife will present the State of the City Address to the City Council and citizens on Thursday, February 2, at 7 p.m. at the Bunderson Center, 641 East 200 North.
Citizens are encouraged to attend and learn about the overall health and economic state of the city. The Mayor will discuss how the City was able to control and avert flooding during the 2011 spring runoff. In addition, the Mayor will discuss future developments and other items of interest.
Republicans conduct straw poll at confab
The Box Elder County Republican Party conducted a straw poll for the U.S. Senate, Governor and Attorney General races on Saturday, January 28, at Harris Intermediate School in Tremonton. Candidates were given four minutes to speak and introduce themselves to over 270 Box Elder County residents.
The straw poll was held in conjunction with the annual Lincoln Day Dinner, the primary fundraiser for the local Republican Party. Elected officials from the federal, state and local levels of government were represented or in attendance to discuss issues with constituents.
For the senate race the results were: 38.6 percent for Dan Liljenquist with 81 votes, 37.6 percent for Orrin Hatch with 79 votes and 16.2 percent for Chris Herrod with 34 votes.
For the governor's race the results were: 66.5 percent for Gary Herbert with 141 votes, 24.5 percent for Morgan Philpot with 52 votes, 8 percent for Ken Sumsion with 17 votes and 1 percent for David Kirkham with 2 votes.
For the attorney general's race the results were: 83.7 percent for John Swallow with 175 votes and 16.3 percent for Sean Reyes with 34 votes.
Arrests net drugs, cash
A Garland couple was arrested by Box Elder County Narcotics Strike Force agents on Friday, January 27, for distribution of a controlled substance. The arrests came after an ongoing investigation. Agents were assisted by local Adult Probation and Parole officers. During the arrest agents confiscated 132 balloons of heroin with an estimated street value of $2,600. A large sum of cash was also seized. Photo courtesy of Box Elder County Sheriff's Office.
