The Daily Spectrum from Saint George, Utah • 1

November 13, 1994 The Voice of Color Country PECIIUM Si Ml) AY Two Affordable housing moves back into town 'A I ,5 Spectrum photo Steve Coray George area are now working on low-cost housing developments. Gary Nelson has found affordable housing and a place where he can keep his dog Keesha. Several developers In the St. Markets force colleges to plan for more housing By TRICIA CIARAVINO and FRED LUDWIG The Spectrum Gary Nelson's house has an attractive interior, spectacular view of mountain terrain and plenty of room in back for his one-year-old dog. Keesha.

"We had to keep her on a cable before," he said. "Now we want to finish building the fence and set her free." After renting for four years, Nelson moved into his new home two weeks ago: He and his wife, Caroline, came across steep prices before buying the $90,000 home on St. George's northeast side from Construction. Nelson, 34, described having his own home as a milestone that like his second marriage marked his rebound from a divorce and financial struggles. With housing costs 10 percent higher than the national average, young families have a tough time getting that first home.

But some area developers say they are working to ease that gridlock. At least three projects in St. George will soon have houses that sell in the $70,000 to $80000 range. "That's real affordable," said Stephen Frahm, executive vice president for the Washington County Board of Realtors. "Someone with an income of say $25,000 could get Into a house like that with any land of a down -r Ence Homes, Tierra Development and Goodwin' Builders are among developers putting up low-cost complexes.

1 "We're bringing affordable housing back to St. George," said Vince Clayton with Ence Homes. "We took a site that was zoned for apartments and could have had more density. Please see HOUSING on A12 UOfilSil St. George carjacking By DAMON CLINE The Spectrum Two St.

George women were reportedly kidnapped at gunpoint Friday night and forced to drive to the Cedar Pockets Rest Area in the Virgin River Gorge before the assailant stole their truck. The 21-year-old and 27-year-old were taken to Dixie Regional Medical Center where one was treated and released for a bruised head and a split lip. According to St. George Police reports, the women were at Mountain America Credit Union, 301 E. Tabernacle, at 10 p.m.

when an unidentified black male, wearing a hooded parka and armed with a rifle, forced his way into their 1976 Chevrolet Luv pickup. The suspect reportedly demanded money, but the women did not have any. He then forced them to drive south on Interstate 15. into Arizona where he made them stop at the Cedar Pockets Rest Area. "He assaulted one of the victims as he dumped them off on the frontage road." said Sgt.

Marlon Stratton. "He then continued south and drove on to (Old U.S.) Highway 91." Mesquite, Police discovered the vehicle abandoned near the Arizona-Nevada border just northeast of the city. Police said the truck had apparently run out of gas. The suspect, described as a black male, 5 foot 6 inches tall, with a thin build, had not been found at press time. Police believe the suspect mav live in The incident is the first carjacking to be reported in St.

George, police said. "We haven't seen much of this in Utah," Stratton said. The victims are usually forced out of the car right away in most carjackings, but this guy made them drive about 30 miles before he kicked them out." The case is under investigation by SGPD, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Mohave County Sheriffs Office. Any information on the incident or the suspect can be reported bv calling If fltV. 1 i 3 1 it: "I 13' "This day'and age, people don't seem to have much respect for anything," he said.

Veteran's Day isn't the only time he's found the remainders of trouble in the cemetery. The old fence surrounding the cemetery has repeatedly been torn down in places and holes 'have been cut in it. "They've been cutting down parts of that fence as quickly as I can put it Please see CEMETERY on A5 kidnapped in "We've seen that most students who are willing to get out and hustle found housing. -George Scott director of residence life at Dixie College Plewe, Dixie's vice president of administrative services. "Our first priority is for local developers to bring in new housing because there is concern about building new units on campus." George Scott, director of residence life at Dixie College, said the housing crunch only becomes a problem in the fall when hundreds of students try to grab one of the 280 on-campus beds or one of the 823 off-campus beds at the four privately-owned apartment com By DAMON CLINE The Spectrum Growth in Southern Utah has not only caused a housing crunch for struggling families, but for struggling students as well.

Both Dixie College and Southern Utah University had to turn away students seeking on-campus housing this fall, forcing them to, hit the streets in search of affordable, and in some cases, not-so-affordable housing-- Although they say it's not a' problem -now, campus administrators are keep-' ing a close eye on growth projections to insure adequate housing is available in the future. The schools' long-term plans already makes use of all available space on campus, leaving the construction of new residence halls low on the priority list for now. "We're relying on off-campus hous- -ing at the current time," said Stan Layton, was named assistant whip. After Tuesday's Republican landslide, the GOP, holds a 55-20 majority in the House, which Brown explained poses not only advantages but challenges for the party that continues to control the legislative and executive branches of One of those challenges is shoring up the Legislature's public image, he said. "When you get into a government controlled by one party there is a perT ception among the public that there is a good ol' boy network," Brown said.

believe important that we as a Legislature be identified differently and separately. We have a responsibility to work together (with the governor) but each branch must operate separately." While the Republican leadership ballot was taken behind closed doors, Please see LEADERS on A12 GOP elects conservative leaders, Democrats pick incumbents plexes. "We are 100-percent full during the fall quarter," he said. That drops down to as low as 78 percent by spring just through attrition." Dozens of students end up dropping out of school or end up moving off campus before the first month, but it is just about impossible to get everyone an on-campus bed when school starts, said. Those who irrieioii campus hit the streets.

"We've seen that most students who are willing to get out and hustle found housing," Scott said. "Anyone who was easily discouraged may have left." Rates at the four main off-campus student apartments range from $400 to $550 per 10-week quarter, depending on room size. Utilities are not included. The college offers double-occupancy rooms from $836 to single rooms from $928. While rates appear to be more Please see COLLEGE on A12 took the flags." He also found at least four flags lying by the side of the road apparently where somebody had just tossed them and walked away, Olds said.

The flags had been rained on and were completely dirty. Olds picked them up and cleaned them anyway. "You've got the American flag here." he said. "You'd think people would be proud of it, not do this." Olds said the incident is yet another reflection of today's values or lack thereof. By The Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY Utah House Republicans took a step to the right Saturday, voting in a conservative crew to lead them the next two years.

Democrats, whose small House presence shrank even further after the recent election, opted to stick with a known quantity by electing incumbents to the top leadership positions. Republicans meeting at the Little America hotel elected. Rep. Mel Brown, R-Midvale, as House speaker, replacing retiring Speaker Rob Bishop, R-Brigham City. Brown 56, won a close vote over former Majority Leader Marty Stephens, R-Farr West.

Rep. Christine R. Fox. R-Lehi, was elected majority leader and Rep. Michael G.

Waddoups, R-Salt Lake, replaced Fox as majority whip. Rep. Kevin S. Gam, R- GUARANTEED DELIVERY: If you haven't received your Spectrum by 6 p.m. on weekdays or 9 a.m.

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George (801)674-6200 Cedar City (801)586-7648 2660l00150 $110 Spectrum photo Nick Adams Toquerville, Utah, resident Clark Olds places flags on the graves of the 34 known veterans buried at the Toquerville cemetery some from pre-WWI for Veterans Day. When Olds went to collect the Friday, some were stolen and some were taken and thrown in the mud. Vandals take their toll on cemetery C4 Nation A6-7 Obituaries Opinion A4 Police Blotter Sports Television Calendar AlO-11 Classified Dear Abby CIO Election '94 Entertainment Local A3-5 Money A8-9 By ROBERT GEHL The Spectrum Clark Olds is fed up. The 75-year-old retired World War II veteran is charged with taking care of the Toquerville, Utah, cemetery, and he says the vandalism and trespassing of the area have him at a loss. But Friday was the last straw.

"I put 34 flags out Friday morning on all the veterans' grave sites," he said. "I went back to get them Friday night and half of them were gone. Somebody was playing in the area and Utah blows a 17-0 lead against Air Force losing its second consecutive WAC game and falling out of first place in the conference. Story Page Bl It 'fiirn iinrmhi rit tt -f.