The Daily Spectrum from Saint George, Utah • 8

AS Friday, March 7, 2008 The Spectrum Daily News FROM THE FRONT PAGE www.theBpectrum.com City continues to purchase land for new airport: contribute financially to the new airport project, Bulloch said. The current airport will continue operating until the new one opens. Also on Thursday, the council had a public hearing but didn't take action on a zone change request involving approximately 2,432 acres located in the southeast corner of the city. The acre site, wh ich is currently zoned mining and grazing, is located south of the replacement airport site. The project needs a development agreement, said Bob Nicholson, com munity development director, during the meeting.

The agreement, however, wasn't ready by Thursday's council meeting. The applicant is proposing a large mixed-used project with some neighborhood commercial areas, some airport supporting business uses, airport vicinity industrial uses, an 18-hoIe golf course and various types of residential as well as parks and open space, among other features, Nicholson said. The item will go back to the council in the near future when the development land purchases for the new airport completed by May. Larry Bulloch, public works director, has said the city needs 1,300 acres for the new airport, which is approved for regional jet service and is expected to cost about $177 million. Thecity has received about $107 million from the Federal Aviation Administration and the existing airport land sale, as well as local miscellaneous resources like issuing bonds and available city funds, will make up the balance.

Washington County is also working with St George to Bars attempt to thwart smoking ban E5J Janet HostetterAP Billy Parrott, an "improvisations! actor" by dint of a $1 badge, enjoys a smoke at The Rock Nightclub in Maple-wood, Minn, on Wednesday, prior to performing as a vocalist with the band "Lust For Blood." koliventhespectrum.com ST. GKOKGE With the approval of the purchase of a little over 20 acres Thursday, the city of St. George has now acquired a total of 635 acres for the new airport. The St. George City Council on Thursday approved an agreement to purchase 10.02 acres for the replacement airport from Kirk and Gay Bastian, the property owners.

The council also approved purchasing 10.02 acres from property owners Kelso Smith and Linda James. The city hopes to have HICKMAN Continued from Al and the residents of Southern Utah in helping it become a four-year institution," Cox said. "And he's worked tirelessly since then to secure funding for new programs and their expansion." Urquhart said he's saddened by the fact that Hickman won't seek re-election. "I think that he's worked very diligently for our community for 16 years up there and has a lot of accomplishments to show for it," he said. "And he'll be missed." Urquhart added that, "Washington County needs someone strong in the Senate and he (Hickman) has a big presence in the Senate." "He leaves big shoes to fill," he said.

Urquhart said he will file for the opening today, saying, "Washington County does require someone in the Senate who understands the process and can be successful and I think I can do a good job for our community there." House Majority Leader David Clark, R-Dist. 74, said he has worked with Urquhart for eight years. "I think Steve is one of the best legislators in the House of Representatives and I think he would make an excellent senator," HAIR Continued from Al "Since I've donated twice, I've been dying to do a Locks of Love event," Jensen said. Jensen's sister said for about a month and a half there were posters up and they had announcements on the school news. "It just seemed like a good opportunity to do service," she said.

The nine girls had their hair cut in front of the entire school at an assembly Thursday afternoon. When the pony tails were cut, the girls were taken back and they had their hair styled to show off their new do, which they unveiled to their classmates 25 minutes later. Astle said, as nervous as she was, she's happy she did it. "Now that it's over, it feels very peaceful," she said. "It seems like it isn't real." WildingsaidPaul Mitchell schools are focused on giv he said.

Of Hickman not seeking re-election, Clark said on Thursday, "The citizens of Washington County for his (Hickman's) eight years in the House and eight years in the Senate have been very well represented." "Bill has been a statesman and he's been tenacious in trying to represent all of Southern Utah," Clark said. One of Hickman's most significant accomplishments, Clark said, was bringing Dixie State College to a four-year institution. Clark also noted a piece of legislation that passed Wednesday that will allow forthepurchaseof materials for Salt Lake International and regional airports to be exempt from sales tax. And Hickman, Clark said, "tenaciously saw that through" late Wednesday night, saying that even in the last hours of the session, Hickman was looking out for the residents of Washington County. To Clark, "that's a $4 (million) to $5 million savings for construction" for the new St.

George airport. "Bill has been a very significant player," Clark said. "His experience and his voice will be missed at the Capitol." ing back to the community. "From these nine girls, they can make up to 20 wigs," she said. "This is a neat opportunity for our students to do something outside of themselves." Even the Paul Mitchell students were excited.

Tm shaking and I didn't even get my hair cut," Jensen said. Wilding added people can donate their hair as long as it hasn't been bleached. The girls along with Astle and Funk who donated their hair are Kylea Christensen, 14, Bethany Coyle, 14, Dasya Porras, 13, Jessica Demke, 15, Mary Bringhurst, 14, Zella Urquhart, 13, and Callista Porras, 4. The Paul Mitchell students who came to cut the hair along with Jensen were Britany Boeckle, 18, Emilee Walker, 18, Melissa Haslem, 21, Shawnee Lathim, 17, Ashlee Smethurst, 21, Sara Symes, 18, Ty Knight, 20, and Katie Hill, 22. tional 80 megawutts, whicfT Mortensen said will "help us with the power demand for-' the foreseeable future." The1' total project cost is estimated ut $90 million.

"r- Approved an ment and agreement will) the city Logan. Mortensen said funds received from the with the city of Logan will gq toward the city of St developing more local green power resources using landfill gases to power al; plant as well as building a solar farm. props, according to an antiil-smoking group. "It's too bad. they didn't put as much into protecting their employees from smoking," grumbled--Jeanne Weigum, executive, director of the for Nonsmokers.

The Health Department-this week vowed to begifl cracking down on theater nights with fines of as much as $10,000. "The law was enacted to protect Minnesotans from the serious health effects of secondhand smoke," Health Commissioner Sanng Mognan said. At The Rock earlier this-, week, a black stage curtain-" covered part of the entrance? and a sign next to it with an arrow read, "Stage Along the opposite wall, below a sign saying "Props DepL," was a stack of the only props needed: black ashtrays. At the door was a printed playbill for that night's pro- gram, with a list of names of the people portraying bartenders and security guards. trolled Legislature created' the broadest private schoq, voucher program in country.

Voters killed the program by a wide margin in a ref-, erendum before any vouch-' ers were granted. The issue-: invigorated Democratic Party leaders who pointed to the referendum that Republicans were out-of-touch with the voters they represent Particularly vulnerable this election is House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy. Curtis won re-election in 2006 by 20 votes. Since the election, he shepherded the voucher program through the House by one vote and helped broker an unpopular deal to help Real Salt Lake build a soccer stadium in his hometown of Sandy. Curtis acknowledged his circumstances on the House floor Wednesday.

"I don't know if I'm going to be back. Some people tell me I have a target on me," he said. "You know, what's new?" Get Your Opinion Heard Comments on the proposed Toquop Energy Project, a $1.3 billion, 750-megawatt power plant near Mes- quite, may be made until the close of busi- ness today. Comments may be directed by mall to Rod A. Moore, Nevada Division of Environmental 1 Protection, Bureau of Air Pollution Control, 901 South Steward Street, suite 4001, Carson City, Nev.

89701 or by fax (775) 687-6396. Information about the proposed plant may be found at: http: ndep.nv.govbapctoq. html have to sign off or at least comment on the permit Maisano said he is pleased that the comment period is nearing an end, which takes the plant another step forward to the permit being issued. "We look forward to providing reliable and affordable power for the area, including Washington Countyr Maisano said. agreement is completed.

Also Thursday, (lie council: Approved to purchase GE gas turbi nes. Marc Mortensen, assistant to the city man-uger, said before Thursday's meeting that the council had previously approved for a group to study the feasibility of adding gas turbines at the Millcreck generation plant. The city currently has one 40 megawatt-gas turbine at the Millcreck plant, Mortensen said. With the council's approval Thursday, the city will purchase two more gas turbines at 40 megawatts each, totaling an addi passed by the Legislature last year, allows actors to light up in character during theatrical performances as long as patrons are notified in advance. About 30 bars in Minnesota have been exploiting the loophole by staging the faux theater productions and pronouncing cigarettes be up for re-election this year.

Huntsman said lawmakers can be proud of how they spent taxpayers' money this session. Last week, Utah was named one of the best-managed states in the country by the Pew Center for having an effective government based on how it manages it budgets, staffs, infrastructure and information. Having an economy that remains strong doesn't hurt, either. "I think it's great that we can be a little oasis of excellence in a sea of uncertaintyr Huntsman said. Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said increasing education spending is the issue legislators would likely brag about most to their constituents.

"We really put our money where our mouth is," Valentine said. However, it's unclear if the additional money for teachers will be enough to heal wounds created last year when the Republican-con what NDEP is looking for is the proof that the proposed project meets all current state and federal air regulations and standards. A draft permit has already been issued but the public comments are looked at to see if there are any issues that would cause the permit to be revised. Once any final action, if any, is made on the appeal's process, if the permit is approved without modifications, Sithe Global will have the green light from NDEP to go ahead with the project Pistone said, however, there are other issues Sithe Global, principals of the Toquop Project will have to deal with including issues with other federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Land Management as well as financial issues. Pistone said once the appeals process is finished, NDEP's part of the process is completed, regardless of which way the decision went NDEP also looks at other federal agency comments on the issue of Toquop such as comments from the BLM, Forest Service and the National Park Service, which By GREGG AAMOT Associated Press MAPLEWOOD, Minn.

All the world's a stage at some of Minnesota's bars. A new state ban on smoking in restaurants and other nightspots contains an exception for performers in theatrical productions. So some bars are getting around the ban by printing up playbills, encouraging customers to come in costume, and pronouncing them "actors." The customers are playing right along, merrily puffing away and sometimes speaking in funny accents and doing a little improvisation, too. The state Health Department is threatening to bring the curtain down on these sham productions. But for now, it's on with the show.

At The Rock, a hard-rock and heavy-metal bar in suburban St. Paul, the "actors" during "theater night" do little more than sit around, drink, smoke and listen to the SESSION Continued from Al do to the state's image, but was willing to accept it for stronger drinks involving liquor. The governor is the only person who can call a special session and lawmakers try to avoid them if they can. The sessions are typically reserved for major budgetary issues, necessary corrections or to pass a law with popular support Last year, Huntsman called a special session in the hope of passing an animal cruelty law that would stiffen penalties for those who torture animals. The bill had widespread popular support and was named Henry's Law after a dog that survived being put in a hot oven.

Rural lawmakers opposed the measure, though, saying it could make farmers vulnerable to oppressive penalties if they were found to have committed crime. That led to DEADLINE Continued from Al impact statement) shows us this." No one is denying that the growing West needs more power but municipalities in the county have questioned everything from the use of coal to the location on the plant during the last several months. Most recently, both the city of St George, and the Washington County Commissioners have withdrawn support for the Toquop Energy Project because of its location to the county and the possible affects the plant earsplitting music. "They're playing themselves before Oct 1. You know, before there was a smoking ban," owner Brian Bauman explained.

Shaping the words in the air with his hands, like a producer envisioning the marquee, he said: "We call the production, 'Before the The smoking ban, this year's compromise, which makes torturing a dog or a cat a felony but excludes other animals. Following the end of the 45-day legislative session, Huntsman praised lawmakers for all they did. "This is the fourth session for me, and I gotta say it's been the very best" Huntsman said. "Thank you for delivering for the people you represent" Lawmakers passed an $1 1.5 billion budget that included the third largest surplus in state history. As part of the budget teachers will receive a $1,700 raise.

Increasing teacher salaries and education funding was one of Huntsman's biggest priorities. Last year, Utah ranked 46th in average teacher pay. The state also has the nation's largest class sizes and spends less per student than any other state. Huntsman, along with all 75 House members and half of the 29 member Senate, will could have on air quality. After the public comment period closes at the end of business today, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection will collect all the public comments and evaluate and respond to all the comments, said NDEP public information officer Dante Pistohe.

"The division will look at final action sometime within the next two to six months either deny or approve the permit with or without modifications," Pis-tone said. "Once final action is taken, the parties can appeal the decision." Pistone said basically MEW 24-HOUR CLUBI MIU I SIU1C Chronic Neck, Back, andor Leg Pain? Are you tired of chronic neck or back pain? Leg pain? Stenosis? Difficulty walking? Numbness? Failed surgery? Discover a revolutionary new treatment that's effectively helping chronic neck, back and leg pain sufferers WITHOUT drugs or surgery. Call 628-7040 to receive 2 free Non-surgical Spinal Decompression visits and find out how this exciting new technology can help you. Non-surgical Spinal Decompression has helped thousands and it could be the miracle breakthrough that could change your life! Call ProHealth Chiropractic at 628-7040 NOW! Space is limited. State of the Art Equipment! Certified Personal Trainers! Access to Over 1 000 Clubs! TWO FREE PERSONALTRAINING SESSIONS ONE MONTH FREE with agreement when you mention this ad.

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