Utah — A man was arrested after allegedly tying two men up and threatening them because they unknowingly rode their motorcycles on a Native American reservation over the weekend
The two motorcyclists told police they were exploring the West Desert area of Tooele County Saturday evening
They had stopped and were discussing where to go to set up camp for the night
They said a man in a pickup truck pulled up
They both lied down on the ground and said that when they tried to lift their heads up
the man told them to keep their faces on the ground or he'd kick them
The man then allegedly zip-tied their hands and ankles
A second man then arrived and threatened them with a knife
The victims said their valuables were stolen
then they were driven out to a remote location and dropped off "to fend for themselves," charging documents state
The men said they had to walk about 6-7 hours until they reached the gate of the Dugway Proving Ground for help
a member of the Skull Valley Band of the Goshute Indian Tribe called the Tooele County Sheriff's Office and told them his friend
After the men got in touch with law enforcement
one of them tracked an Apple AirTag that he had on his motorcycle
police went to the geolocation of the AirTag and found the motorcycles and other stolen items in a maintenance shed on the Skull Valley Reservation land
they said Allen arrived and "compared the seizure of their motorcycles to private apartment complexes calling for vehicles to be impounded."
Police said some of the stolen items were not found in the shed
One of the victims said his phone was "pinging" at the Tooele Walmart
and then at a residence in Tooele — which investigators learned was Allen's registered address
A witness also told police that Allen had told her about the events of Saturday night
including tying up the victims and stealing their motorcycles
He also reportedly told the witness that he prepared a bunker to keep captives in
and that the two men "were lucky this time because the police had already been called."
A warrant for Allen's arrest was requested on Monday
and a federal prosecutor filed charges of:
It was not clear whether Allen's alleged co-conspirator was charged
Utah (KUTV) — An 18-year-old was arrested on several charges including felony automobile homicide after allegedly driving under the influence and crashing his vehicle in Tooele County
when a Utah Highway Patrol trooper and a Tooele County Sheriff’s deputy responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash at milepost 30 on SR-36
The deputy arrived first and began life-saving efforts on the 16-year-old passenger
The trooper arrived shortly after and found 18-year-old Jaxon Douglas-David Wood standing near the deputy
Medics arrived on the scene and pronounced the 16-year-old dead within minutes
the pickup truck they were traveling in veered off the road
who confirmed he was driving the pickup at the time of the crash
the trooper reportedly noticed Wood had red
Wood agreed to a Standard Field Sobriety Test
which indicated several signs of impairment
After a breathalyzer test showed a BrAC of .18
Wood admitted he had been drinking at a bonfire party prior to the crash
other law enforcement officers on the scene informed the trooper that Wood had admitted to driving 85 mph in the 65 mph zone
The trooper noted the recklessness of this behavior in his report
Investigators found open alcohol containers among the crash debris
Evidence suggested that neither Wood nor his passenger were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash
Wood was booked into the Tooele County Jail on charges of second-degree felony automobile homicide
as well as several misdemeanors and infractions
TOOELE — A Tooele woman has been accused of stabbing a man during a fight that allegedly started over a $50 dispute
Gilmore was charged in 3rd District Court with attempted murder
or in the alternative aggravated assault with serious injury
a second-degree felony; and possession of a weapon by a restricted person
Brady was charged with obstruction of justice
was charged Monday with obstruction of justice
The investigation began when a man was dropped off at Mountain West Medical Center with stab wounds early Sunday
"It was reported that a male victim was stabbed with a knife in shoulder
neck and multiple times in the right limbs," according to a police booking affidavit
The man was later transported to the University of Utah Hospital for further treatment
Crinan was identified as the woman who dropped off the victim
She first claimed she picked up the victim at a bar in Tooele
"no blood was found at the scene where Crinan claimed to have picked up the victim."
Using surveillance cameras and data from a tracking device placed on Crinan's car from a prior investigation
police said they determined that she arrived at the victim's home late Saturday night and then went back to her own residence
"The tracking history shows Crinan's vehicle left her residence approximately one hour later and went down Main Street directly to Mountain West Medical Center at a high rate of speed and arrived at 12:02 a.m.," according to the affidavit
which says police the stabbing occurred at her home
After police located Crinan and took her into custody
she admitted she "wasn't telling the truth and said the victim told her to tell law enforcement the statement she provided," according to the arrest report
She then said there had been a confrontation between the victim and two others in front of her house
"Video footage was obtained from surrounding neighbors near Crinan's residence
The video footage shows a fight occur in front of Crinan's residence
"The fight stops and you can hear a male say
man.' The vehicle drives off shortly and a male (is seen) walking up the driveway toward Crinan's residence
Investigators responded to Cirinan's residence and found blood in the road
onto the sidewalk and leading to Crinan's driveway."
Detectives learned that Brady owed the victim $50 and the victim confronted Brady and Gilmore who were parked in front of the residence
"Both Gillmore and Brady said the victim came out and punched Brady in the face who was sitting in the driver seat of his vehicle
Brady said he got out of his car and began trying to fight with the victim
Brady said the victim got him in a headlock and eventually let go
Gilmore said the same thing and told me she tried pulling the victim off Brady
Both Brady and Gilmore denied stabbing the victim during the fight," according to the affidavit
"blood stains were observed on his driver's door handle and on the inside of the driver's door."
According to charging documents filed on Tuesday for Brady
he was fighting with the victim when the man "was stabbed by another party."
(Brady) wanted to speak to law enforcement and told them that the stabber stabbed the victim and told law enforcement where to find the knife
(Brady's) version of events lined up with the other evidence that has been found throughout the investigation
including video evidence," according to charging documents
University Affairs
By Marcus Jensen | April 21
Utah State University Tooele celebrated its class of 2025 with commencement exercises taking place on Saturday
April 19 as part of USU’s 138th commencement ceremony
and 18 master’s degrees and two certificates
USU Tooele celebrated graduates with a ceremony at Stansbury High School
“We are here for one reason – to celebrate the achievements of you
as you close this period of your life and begin your new journey,” Cowburn said to graduates
“I believe that Utah State University’s Tooele campus teaches
and empowers you with the knowledge and skills to make your dreams come true.”
Cowburn then introduced the student speakers
D’Arnall received an associate degree in general studies and will look to obtain his bachelor’s degree at USU in 2026
earning a bachelor’s degree in social work
D’Arnall shared an analogy of how life can be viewed as a line graph
While there will be ups and downs on the y-axis
Though not a straight line or a perfect ladder
D’Arnall encouraged graduates to keep putting one foot in front of the other
“Life moves in waves,” he said
Other days we sink and everything feels heavy
one thing is constant– we keep moving forward
it will always be one foot in front of the other
Lomeli then began her address by giving a short history of her family
She spoke of her parent’s sacrifices and how both did not have the opportunity to pursue college degrees
She recounted their leaving their hometown with nothing
She admires their sacrifices for their family and hopes she has made them proud
She closed encouraging graduates to persevere in hard times
We all know that because we’ve all experienced hardships,” she said
“But you have to keep fighting for what you believe in
You’re going to want to give up and wish for it to get easier
Cowburn then introduced the commencement speaker
Hacking opened his speech by sharing an experience from his youth: a time where he borrowed his parent’s boat for a trip with friends
only to forget to properly secure the boat to the back of the vehicle
the boat became dislodged and started racing down the street past the car
He spoke about his lack of attention to detail at that moment
As we navigate our professional careers– much like I navigated the treacherous
steep road on the way to what I was hoping would be a lovely evening with friends at the lake– it's vital that we keep focus and taking care of the details that are important to master to be successful in one's career choices,” he said
Hacking encouraged the graduates to spend time on several durable skills
“It's those durable skills that will help you build relationships
“Just as I learned the hard way that overlooking the simple details could lead to spectacular disaster
you too will find that neglecting to develop your durable skills can result in missed opportunities and career setbacks.”
He closed his speech encouraging the graduates to continually improve and strive for excellence in all they do
Smith then provided a short message and conferred upon the students their degrees
Once the graduates received their diplomas
Ryan Dent President-Elect of the USU Alumni Advisory Board
Located in the valley of the Oquirrh Mountains, Utah State University Tooele offers students the personalized attention and small class sizes of a small-town college with the resources of a large university. With degree options ranging from associate to doctorate degrees, plus technical education offerings, USU Tooele offers programs that help fuel local economies and empower individuals and their communities. Learn more at tooele.usu.edu
Comments and questions regarding this article may be directed to the contact person listed on this page
USU has announced a new Net Price Calculator — a modern
mobile-friendly platform that helps students and families understand what they may pay to attend college
The class of 2025 consists of 365 individuals earning 184 associate
UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
HEALTH & WELLNESS
TOOELE, Utah (KUTV) — New video shows the moment a school bus full of students slams into the back of a truck in Tooele. The crash caught on cameras inside the bus meant to keep bus drivers and students safe
The Tooele School District school bus was carrying 54 elementary school students and 16 adults heading back from a field trip to the zoo
The crash happened on Main Street near Vorwaller Drive when a Ford F-150 stopped for someone crossing the road
That’s when the bus slammed into the back of the truck
shattering the front windshield of the bus
A metal rain gutter on the truck went through the school bus windshield
The video shows the moments the glass shatters and students popping up in their seats
Just two kids were treated at the scene and the 46-year-old truck driver from West Valley were taken to the hospital
Tooele Police said the person crossing the street was not in a crosswalk
They cited the school bus driver for following too closely
KUTV reached out to the district to find out the status of the bus driver
"Following any accident or similar incident involving a school bus
the driver is immediately taken for drug and alcohol screening
a committee meets regularly to review each situation and determine whether further training or disciplinary action is necessary."
Officials confirmed the driver is still employed with the district
The community in Tooele grateful no one was seriously hurt in this crash
Tooele County — A member of the Goshute Tribe has been charged in federal court with kidnapping
threatening and robbing two motorcyclists who got lost on the reservation
then abandoning them in a remote area of the west desert
forcing them to walk for hours to find help
Russell Allen is facing three charges in U.S
Two motorcycle riders exploring the west desert in Tooele County on Saturday "traveled onto the Skull Valley Indian Reservation
not realizing that they were on a reservation
They took their bikes behind a fenced area while deciding what direction to travel in order to set up a camp for the night
Both related that they were low on fuel and unsure if they were allowed to be at the land they were on," according to the criminal complaint filed in federal court
a pickup truck pulled up and a man yelled at them to get on the ground
"They were ordered to put their faces to the ground
The victims both explained that the man had told them they were on federal Indian land
They were also told that laws did not apply since they were on Indian land," the charges state
"(The victims) explained that when they tried to lift their heads up
they were ordered to put their faces to the ground or they would have their faces kicked."
and the motorcyclists "had their hands zip-tied behind their backs and their ankles zip-tied together," the charges state
The second man also allegedly threatened the victims with a knife and
held the knife to the neck of one of the men
including statements regarding putting them in a bunker for weeks or months with a jug of water or burying them in holes that they had dug for their bodies
They were also told that the police had been called
but later told that the police were too far and weren't coming," the complaint states
A friend of Allen called Tooele County emergency dispatchers to tell them that Allen had detained two men
Court documents do not say whether the friend who called police was the second man at the scene
The two victims were forced to "turn off tracking on their phones" and were then loaded into the pickup truck that then sped off at over 100 mph until it reached a remote location in the west desert
"They were left in a remote location to fend for themselves
(The men) attempted to go back to where their bikes were but did not locate them
They then had to walk over 10 miles for help from the Dugway Proving Ground gate guards in a hike they described as taking six or seven hours," according to court documents
In addition to having their motorcycles stolen
camera equipment and GoPros were also taken from them
it was learned that one of the missing motorcycles had an AirTag on it
Agents were "able to geolocate the device to the maintenance shed located on Skull Valley Indian Reservation Road," the charges state
Allen showed up and admitted to being with "trespassers" the night before "and compared the seizure of their motorcycles to private apartment complexes calling for vehicles to be impounded," according to charging documents
a federal search warrant was served on the shed where the motorcycles and camera equipment were found
One of the victims later told agents that his phone had "gone live" and was pinging at an address in Tooele
which was determined to be Allen's residence
"This fact contradicts the suggestion by Allen that he and his companion were acting at the behest of the tribe to seize and impound property pursuant to their perception of tribal law
and that all of the seized materials were in the shed," according to the charges
agents also recovered text messages between Allen and another resident in the home in which Allen "recounted … some of the events of the night prior
including tying the victims up and taking their bikes
Allen (messaged) that he had prepared a bunker to keep captives in
He stated the victims were lucky this time because the police had already been called," the charges state
An initial appearance is scheduled for Allen in federal court on Thursday
Utah — It was a busy day on the track at Tooele High School as Special Olympics Unified Sports put some of their best athletes in the spotlight for a fun-filled day
More than 150 students from eight schools made their way onto the track to put their skills to the test
there’s was something for everyone on Tuesday
“I’ve realized to recognize our wins and celebrate every win we can
Celebrate everything we can,” shared adaptive P.E
nothing is more rewarding than giving his students the same opportunities other athletes have
“95% of the students in our school district that have a motor deficit that impacts their access to general PE
participate in sports with their peers," he explained
We’ve lost the ‘I can’t’ attitude and we find ways to do.”
Athletes like Alex Gull say it’s fun to see friends at events
but it’s also a chance to show that they can do anything
that they are able to do some things,” he said
“It shows that we are a community," added Chancy Shilds
"and everyone is out there for each other and treats everyone equally.”
There’s a place for everyone in Special Olympics Unified Sports
everyone works together to jump over the hurdles that life puts in their way
“I hadn’t anticipated that Alex would be a part of a team and have that opportunity," said Alex's mom
he surprised me that he wanted to participate
so I fully supported him in wanting to do that
Utah (KUTV) — A Tooele building was severely damaged in a fire that engulfed its attic Saturday night
Tooele City Fire Chief Matt McCoy told 2News that crews were dispatched to the structure fire near Main Street and 600 South at about 10:45 a.m
McCoy said the building suffered significant damage
it was unoccupied at the time of the blaze
Fire crews worked for several hours to extinguish the flames
The Utah Department of Transportation reported that the fire was disrupting traffic on State Route 39 at milepost 55 for nearly an hour
McCoy added that the cause of the fire remains under investigation
and authorities are working to assess the damage
MIDVALE — A man who police say had a toxic relationship with a woman that included a history of domestic violence was charged Tuesday with killing her and dumping her body in a remote area of Tooele County
is charged in 3rd District Court with aggravated murder and aggravated kidnapping
first-degree felonies; three counts of obstruction of justice
a second-degree felony; and abuse or desecration of a dead body
Police say Rocha-Aguayo was living in West Valley City when he was deported on Dec
He returned to Utah less than a week later
He is accused of killing 31-year-old Talia Benward on Jan
Benward borrowed her ex-boyfriend's car to go to work
Detectives learned that Rocha-Aguayo had returned from being deported and that he and Benward's relationship "was very toxic
(A friend) described Rocha-Aguayo as jealous and he didn't like (Benward) talking to other men," the charges state
"As the investigation developed and evidence was gathered
it became evident Talia Benward was either being held against her will by a violent ex-boyfriend or was deceased," Unified police said
The missing car was found in the Kearns area
"Detectives observed that the rear passenger seat
and door had a reddish-brown substance consistent with blood," the charges state
while also noting blood was found in multiple areas inside and outside of the vehicle and the trunk of the car smelled like gasoline
Using cellphone data and surveillance video
police learned that Rocha-Aguayo and Benward met up at a gas station at 9000 South and 5600 West on Jan
1 and sat in a car for more than 40 minutes
Investigators say it appeared in a surveillance video that the two were arguing during his time
The couple was then tracked to Magna Regional Park where police believe they spent another 40 minutes before going to Tooele County where phone data shows Rocha-Aguayo stayed for nearly 30 minutes before leaving
Using cadaver dogs in an undisclosed area just off I-80 in Tooele County
"a burn pit was located that had remnants of a mat that matched the one missing from the Volkswagen Jetta
A cadaver dog was called out and located the body of (Benward) covered with what appeared to be a large pile of sagebrush and strategically stacked sticks
There was a blood splotch next to the sagebrush pile," according to the charges
(Benward) had substantial trauma to her face
(She) had scratches and bruises throughout the top portion of her arms and chest
(Benward) had marks that indicated that she had been dragged and other injuries that appeared to have occurred after she was already deceased," the charges say
An autopsy determined that Benward was killed "by a mix of asphyxiation and blunt force trauma."
Police actually spotted Rocha-Aguayo on Jan
4 and tried to arrest him "using a Taser deployment
but Nestor was able to flee custody," a police booking affidavit states
Unified police detectives and the U.S. Marshal's Service then learned on Jan. 5 that Rocha-Aguayo was on a bus headed to Mexico. Police tracked the bus and watched as he got off during a pit stop in Fillmore. As officers closed in, he tried to run but this time was taken into custody
police searched Rocha-Aguayo's cellphone and Facebook account and discovered pictures of Benward's body
many commuters expressed they are feeling frustrated as the growing pains of their community start to show
A deadly crash off I-80 Wednesday night raised the question
The crash on I-80 in Tooele killed a man and left a woman in critical condition
Utah Highway Patrol has not identified the people involved in the crash or the cause
though weather is being taken into consideration
leaving drivers with only a few options to get in or out of Tooele
Drivers can either sit in traffic for hours
Lifelong Tooele resident Lauren Higgins said traffic on I-80 is getting worse
"It takes an hour and a half to get to Bountiful if you're trying to leave in the morning," Higgins said
a drive to Bountiful can take about 30 minutes
the Utah Department of Transportation started road improvements on I-80
UDOT officials said they have more plans to ease traffic for drivers
"We have longer term plans to actually make SR 201 its own corridors separate from I-80
We have long term plans to widen I-80 as well
UDOT added that the environmental geography near I-80 poses some challenges for roadwork in the area
noting the wetlands and mountains on either side
“The area between Salt Lake County and the Tooele Valley is really constrained
and you've got the Great Salt Lake on the north side
UDOT said the short term project on I-80 could be done by the end of this year
Utah (KUTV) — An 18-year-old driver has been charged with automobile homicide in the Tooele County DUI crash that killed his 16-year-old passenger
Officials said Jaxon Douglas David Woodwas crashed his truck
Investigators released photos of the crash scene showing the white truck that 18-year-old Wood was driving in early Sunday morning in Tooele County
Wood is facing a long list of charges including automobile homicide
Court documents say Tooele County Sheriff Office Deputy Taubman arrived on scene and started performing CPR pm Russell
Jaxon wood was seen standing next to Deputy Taubman
The responding officer detected the smell of alcohol and performed a blood alcohol test on Wood whose blood alcohol was .18--- more than three times the State’s legal limit
Officers investigating the crash found open alcohol containers
“Jaxon admitted to driving 85 mph in that area
Driving at high speeds in the dark on a two-lane highway while drunk
Neither of the teens were wearing a seatbelt
Friends and family of Conner Russell have started a Go Fund Me to help his mom
Russell was a Riverton High School football player
Wood is held in the Tooele County jail without bail
Tooele County — A zoo and conservation center in Tooele County has a new resident: a rare white water buffalo
Otters and Others Zoo and Conservation said the buffalo is a "marvel of nature," and celebrating her arrival is a "once-in-a-lifetime event."
The zoo had been searching for a water buffalo to join its center and came across Lilly the river water buffalo through a zoological listing agency
One of our board members traveled to meet her
we began making the necessary arrangements to bring her home," the zoo told KSL.com
Lilly is an especially unique creature with a rare white coat
She was named by one of the zoo's volunteers
"White water buffaloes are incredibly rare
with estimates suggesting that only one in every 10 million is born
This makes the arrival of our newest family member a remarkable and special occasion," the zoo said in a statement Monday
Water buffaloes are an endangered species with fewer than 4,000 remaining in the wild
Habitat loss and hunting have put pressure on the species' population
leading to conservation efforts to protect the buffaloes' natural habitat
"Lilly's presence is a symbol of resilience
purity and the deep connection we share with nature," the zoo said
"A stunning reminder of the wonders of the animal kingdom
Lilly's existence is a rare gift to us all."
The zoo is looking for sponsors to support Lilly's care and conservation efforts in "preserving this extraordinary species." Otters and Others hopes to build a new enclosure for Lilly
"We are excited to see how she will help raise awareness for her species and others in need of conservation," the zoo said
is a nonprofit organization that focuses on interactive animal encounters and conservation education
The zoo was founded in 2022 and is working toward becoming accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
"We are dedicated to sharing our passion for wildlife conservation
We strive to protect and preserve the incredible species that share our world
as they are essential to the balance of our ecosystems," it said
2024: The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is pleased to announce that the Deseret Peak Utah Temple will be dedicated in one session on Sunday
MST and will be broadcast to local meetinghouses within the temple district
The dedication will then be rebroadcast to meetinghouses in the temple district at 7 p.m
Only sacrament meeting will be held on November 10
Stake presidents and bishops are encouraged to work together to adjust the starting times for sacrament meetings in each meetinghouse so that Sunday meetings conclude well before 4 p.m
The First Presidency has shared that beginning with the Deseret Peak Utah Temple
temple dedication events will be simplified
Members living within the temple district are invited to gather and view the dedication or the rebroadcast at their local meetinghouses
Further information regarding the dedication broadcast will be sent to stake presidents in the near future
The Article Below Was Published September 23
The public open house for the Deseret Peak Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints begins this week in Tooele
Utah — located about 35 miles southwest of Salt Lake City
Downloadable B-roll & SOTs
there’s always a sense of excitement and enthusiasm and anticipation
as I have the opportunity to explain what happens in these sacred houses of the Lord and why it’s so important to us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” said Elder Pearson
“The meaning of the temple to us runs deep
and our relationship to Him and our beloved Savior Jesus Christ,” added Elder Bangerter
The location of this temple has special meaning for President Porter
"It was not far from here at Dugway Proving Ground
She explained that the importance of families is emphasized inside temples
"You can receive healing and connection; connection with God
connection with family and connection with one another
I am grateful for the temple today here in Deseret Peak
providing those blessings for those in this valley."
Members of the Church in the valley are excited for this new temple
attended the media day with a big smile on his face
"It's awesome because now it allows me to go to the temple more often," he said
"and it will bring the spirit of Jesus Christ more into the valley."
Invited guests will tour the new house of the Lord on Tuesday
The public open house will run from Thursday
"This is an open house for the public," Elder Pearson explained
and the first and foremost in the Tooele Valley to feel this temple is a part of your community
Come and feel what we feel when we're in the house of the Lord
We want people to know why we build temples."
There is no cost to attend the Deseret Peak Utah Temple public open house. Reservations to walk through the house of the Lord can be made online
The Deseret Peak Utah Temple will be dedicated on Sunday
and the dedicatory sessions will be broadcast to all congregations in the temple’s district
this house of the Lord will be the 200th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Deseret Peak Utah Temple was originally announced as the Tooele Valley Utah Temple in April 2019 by Church President Russell M. Nelson
The temple’s name became the Deseret Peak Utah Temple on January 19
Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday, May 15, 2021. Elder Brook P. Hales of the Quorum of the Seventy conducted the groundbreaking service and offered the dedicatory prayer
“There are accounts of people who say that it has blessed their lives
even though they may not be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
irrespective of what one’s [religious] affiliation might be,” he said
This new house of the Lord is nearly 72,000 square feet and sits on a 15.5-acre site at 2400 North 400 West Tooele
A new 20,000-square-foot meetinghouse was also built on the site
cliff rose and grasses native to the region in the stone
Dolomite from the Tooele Valley was used in the admixture during the construction of the structure
Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ are different from meetinghouses or chapels where members gather for Sunday worship services
A temple is considered a house of the Lord
where the teachings of Jesus Christ are reaffirmed through marriage
baptism and other sacred agreements that unite families for eternity
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LOCAL NEWS
FILE - A Tooele police vehicle is pictured in Tooele on Monday
BY ALEXANDER CAMPBELL
SALT LAKE CITY — Two men were arrested in Tooele County on drug and child endangerment charges
after being found in a hotel with drugs and three children
were booked into the Tooele County Jail on Monday afternoon
officers were tipped off the Pierce and Mayse from a confidential source
and the other adult were using drugs around the children and in possession of two “ghost guns,” modified to remove the serial numbers
both Mayse and Pierce are from Bakersfield
and officers believed that both would flee and return to California given the chance
The affidavit states that Tooele’s major crimes task force received a search warrant for the hotel room and the Dodge truck tied to the occupants
Mayse was arrested and located while trying to leave the hotel
Pierce was arrested when officers began searching the hotel room and located a bag of meth in his jacket
the affidavit said that officers entered the hotel room and could smell the “strong and overwhelming” odor of methamphetamine and located three children
Officers also searched the Dodge truck associated with Pierce and Mayse
Officers also located two handguns with altered serial numbers in the truck
Kennith James Pierce and Eric Mayse were booked into the Tooele County jail
Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online: udvc.org. The statewide child abuse and neglect hotline is 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
2:25 PM | Updated: 2:26 pm
BY JACOB FREEMAN
TOOELE — A Tooele home is considered a total loss after catching on fire early Thursday morning
Battalion Chief Bucky Whitehouse with the Tooele Fire Department said crews responded at 2:22 a.m
the home was “fully involved.”
Whitehouse said the three people who lived at the home all made it out safely
The family was referred to the Red Cross for assistance
Investigators were still trying to determine the cause of the fire
Utah (KUTV) — A Tooele family is grieving the loss of their beloved brother-in-law and uncle
who tragically died in a chain-reaction crash on westbound I-80
was driving home from work when traffic congestion contributed to a fiery collision that claimed his life
his family immediately sensed something was wrong
'Is everyone home safe?' Unfortunately
we just couldn't get ahold of him," said Emilie Stahl
Lowe's family remembered his kind nature
"He was seriously the best uncle that anyone could have asked for
He loved and cared for every single person that came into his life and didn’t let them go," said Hayley Stahl
Investigators said two earlier crashes on I-80 on January 16 caused severe traffic backups
A driver unable to stop in time made an abrupt lane change
"Both lanes of travel that were headed out that way were slowing
if not stopped for traffic," said Utah Highway Patrol's Lt
Neff called this crash "definitely not the norm."
Tooele Valley’s growth is bringing increased congestion
a planning manager for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT)
said efforts to improve I-80 are already underway
"There is a project this year to make some improvements to I-80 between the SR202 connection and the Milepost 99 interchange," Dupaix said
He added that long-term plans include widening I-80 and building a separate corridor for SR-201
Lowe’s family believes these changes could make a difference
"We're never going to stop the growth and the congestion
but we can stop not paying attention to being around all of the busyness
because we are a busy community," Emilie Stahl said
The 33-year-old driver who caused the crash remains hospitalized
It is unknown if any charges have been or will be filed
Lowe’s family is thinking of him and his loved ones
"We want his family to know we are thinking of them as well," the family said
TOOELE — A man was killed and a woman was seriously injured after their car spun off the road in Tooele Wednesday night
a Ford F-250 was heading east on I-80 just past the state Route 179 exit
The Ford began to fishtail and went off the shoulder of the road
rolling into a marshy area and landing in about a foot of water
A female passenger was transported to a local hospital in serious condition
No identifying information on the man or woman was released
but Roden did say they are husband and wife
It was unknown what caused the Ford to fishtail
but wet roadways and rainy conditions may have contributed
A judge will ultimately decide whether it’s fair for the Tooele County School District to charge thousands of dollars for public records related to teachers who have already been disciplined for bullying
The district agreed the disciplinary records are public
but it will not release the documents unless FOX 13 News pays a series of proposed fees
The station is appealing the decision in district court
State lawmakers expressed disappointment with the district’s lack of transparency
“I don’t know why the records would cost that much money!” said Rep
“If the districts don’t want to share with the public what’s happening
that doesn’t look very good for the district.”
Peck provided therapeutic treatment care for teens who were abused
She believes students are increasingly falling victim to “heavy sexual assault and violence and rape” at school, citing data from the United States Department of Education.
it’s unclear how often these types of cases occur within the Tooele County School District
The district stated it would not begin to even search for cases unless FOX 13 News pays a deposit
Peck said she believes the district may be trying to shield disciplined teachers from criticism
“We have to keep the children safe,” Peck said
“When I look at the issue and I think of protection of teacher vs
That’s just – there's no comparison there.”
Data from the Utah State Board of Education shows several cases
in which a Tooele County School District educator was disciplined at the state level
Peck said she believes parents are the first line of defense and that every parent in every district has a right to know what’s going on in their kids’ taxpayer-funded schools
She also said it’s difficult (or impossible) for parents to recognize patterns of repeat behavior if the records are not made public
“There’s a point where things have to come into the light
Tooele County School District said it would cost thousands of dollars to produce disciplinary records because of its paper filing system and the need to review each personnel file individually
Peck said releasing the records for free would benefit the public
State law encourages the government to provide records “without charge” when the request is for the benefit of the public
Tooele County School District Superintendent Mark Ernst stated he believes the district is not required to consider the public benefit in releasing records
documents show the district is paying its own attorneys tens of thousands of dollars for helping responding to requests for public records
“I want to give them the benefit of the doubt
“I don’t even know why a district would be afraid of being transparent
knows firsthand how difficult it can be to get public records from the government
and disappointed at how hard some of our government agencies fight to keep things secret,” he said
Weiler has openly expressed his own frustrations with the way government agencies enforce Utah’s public records laws
“So many government agencies try to make it so difficult
that they hope people just go away,” Weiler said
People who are “persistent” are “labeled as
a troublemaker because you’re trying to get these records that are supposed to be public in the first place,” he added
another attorney at his firm agreed to represent FOX 13 News in court
Tooele County School District has declined requests for an on-camera interview
Utah (KUTV) — At least two people were arrested after an anonymous tipster alerted Tooele police to a situation involving small children
According to probable cause affidavits filed early Monday morning
the anonymous tipster contacted police on Sunday
notifying them that there were three adults staying in a motel room and were in possession of a significant amount of drugs
"Further information was provided that (the suspects) had transported several pounds of methamphetamine from California to Tooele using the Dodge truck and also were in possession of two 'Ghost Guns,'" the officer's report continued
Police obtained a search warrant from the room and the occupants' vehicle
and found out the extent of the drugs allegedly found while they executed it
Investigators ultimately found illegal drugs in the bathroom
in backpacks and inside a Dodge pickup truck parked outside
"On entering the hotel room I could smell the strong and overwhelming odor of methamphetamine coming from inside the hotel room," according to the arresting officer's report
"I also observed three small children sleeping on the beds
which I later discovered were the ages of 3 years old
police reportedly found what was believed to be methamphetamine hidden in a large plastic bag hidden inside the toilet
The items were only some of the illegal substances found during the search warrant
Police then turned their attention on the truck
The officer's affidavit states that the search produced two handguns -- one with the serial number grinded off
and the other listed as stolen in the National Crime Information Center
they reportedly found significantly more drugs
eight large plastic bags and two small bags were located containing a white crystal substance I recognized as methamphetamine," according to the probable cause statement
"A total weight was documented from all the methamphetamine
Court documents state officers also found two bags of marijuana and a vial of liquid that tested positive for fentanyl
were arrested Sunday night in connection to the case and were booked just after midnight on Monday
Both Mayse and Pierce were booked on suspicion of 11 charges
Mayse was also suspected of Class A misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance
though court documents don't expressly state as such
Pierce was suspected of an additional count of Class A possession of marijuana
The relationship between the adults and the children wasn't made clear
It's unknown if any of them are family members
It wasn't disclosed whether any of the young children had suffered any injuries as a result of being in close proximity to methamphetamine use
Arrest documents for the third adult mentioned in the two affidavits had not been filed as of the most recent update time of this report
Matthew Jacobson reported from Salt Lake City
TOOELE — A traffic stop in Tooele County resulted in state troopers finding more than 400 pounds of marijuana
was booked into the Tooele County jail for investigation of marijuana possession greater than 100 pounds
not having a license and driving with faulty equipment
A Utah Highway Patrol trooper pulled over an F-150 pickup truck that was traveling east on I-80 and got off the freeway at the Delle exit Wednesday night
The brake light on the truck's shell cover was not working
for his license and Ramirez gave him a Utah identification card instead and told the trooper he did not have a license
"I could smell the odor of marijuana emitting from within the vehicle
I asked Ramirez to exit the vehicle and return with me to my patrol vehicle," the affidavit states
"I conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle at this time
I observed one large duffel bag on the rear floorboard of the vehicle that was filled with several vacuum-sealed packages of a green leafy substance that I identified as raw marijuana
I observed several more large black duffel bags filling the entire bed of the vehicle
also filled with vacuum-sealed packages of raw marijuana."
troopers found approximately 405 pounds of marijuana in the vehicle and "an assortment of marijuana edible products."
TOOELE — A life skills coach in Tooele has been arrested after allegedly grooming and sexually abusing multiple clients
was booked into the Tooele County Jail on Wednesday and charged Thursday in 3rd District Court with sodomy on a child and two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child
first-degree felonies; sexual abuse of a child
a second-degree felony; and sexual battery
Richens is a co-owner at Gray Space Experts
A woman recently contacted Tooele police and told them "she began to see the life coach Douglas Richens and she allowed herself to be very vulnerable with him and talk about her problems," a police booking affidavit states
Richens allegedly slapped the woman's butt and said
that was inappropriate,' but never apologized or said anything else," the affidavit states
After discussing the incident with her husband
"(The woman) told me she made contact with other women who had seen Mr
Richens at Gray Space Experts and they reported Mr
Richens had groomed them toward sexual activity
I later interviewed these women who provided statements to me
The incidents these women reported did not appear to violate any state or federal statute
but it all seemed very unprofessional and inappropriate
The statements also appeared to be possible attempts to groom the women based on my training and experience
I was told that other women wanted to talk to me about being groomed by Mr
but I have not interviewed them yet," the arresting officer wrote in the affidavit
the same detective was assigned another case in which a teen girl claimed she was inappropriately touched by Richens
"(She) stated she had approximately four or five sessions with Mr
Richens and he made her do strange stretches that made no sense to her," the affidavit states
Richens was doing was wrong but she did not know how to make him stop."
the detective learned of a third incident in 2020 involving a young girl who says she was sexually abused by Richens at his home
Richens was questioned about that alleged abuse a few years ago but "refused to comment
asking for a lawyer to be present." The girl and her family eventually "found the investigation to be very difficult and asked that the case be closed and no longer involve their daughter," according to the affidavit
"felt much stronger" and wanted to proceed with pressing charges
After Richens was taken into custody on Wednesday
police learned he "has no license to practice medicine or any kind of counseling," according to the affidavit
Police also note in the affidavit that "other individuals have reported being groomed by Mr
Richens at (Gray Space Experts) and it is highly probable
Richens has more appointments with women and children
If anyone has been victimized by Richens or knows of someone who has
Utah (KUTV) — Three people are facing felony charges and one person was hospitalized with stab wounds after an altercation allegedly over a $50 debt
was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
a first-degree felony; aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury
a second-degree felony; and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person
was arrested on suspicion of obstruction of justice
a man was dropped off at the Mountain West Medical Center with stab wounds
The hospital contacted the Tooele County Sheriff's Office to report the incident
and the Tooele City Police Department responded
Officers spoke to the victim at the hospital
who said he was stabbed with a knife by two unknown men walking down Elm Street toward Broadway
MORE on STABBING: Salt Lake City police find stabbing victim lying near sidewalk, intestines exposed
The victim said he was stabbed multiple times in his left shoulder
He was later transported to the University of Utah Hospital
Officers spoke to the woman who dropped him off
She said she picked the man up off of Broadway
Officers searched Crinan's vehicle with cameras set up around the city
and discovered she picked the victim up at his house and drove him to her house
Crinan said there was an "altercation" between the victim and two other people in front of her house
Crinan said she did not see the incident but took the victim to the hospital
Officers found blood on the street in that area
as well as on her porch and inside her car
the affidavit states that video footage from a nearby house recorded the incident
Officers interviewed Brady and Gilmore separately
They both said the victim came over to start a fight with Brady over a $50 debt
They said the victim punched Brady in the face and put him in a headlock
Gilmore said she tried pulling the victim off of Brady
After the victim let Brady loose from the headlock
the victim went inside Crinan's house and Brady and Gilmore allegedly left the area
Officers said they found blood inside Brady's car but no knives or sharp objects
and Crinan are all being held without bail at the Tooele County Detention Center
and anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Tooele County Sheriff's Office dispatch center at (435) 882-5600
A fatal crash and fire forced the closure of I-80 in Tooele County
leaving traffic at a standstill along the Great Salt Lake
Authorities said a semi truck driver died in the crash
a tractor-trailer hauling a double load of sand was traveling east when it approached a curve on I-80
Eastbound traffic was being diverted off I-80 to state Route 201 for just over two miles
which connects back to I-80 in under two miles
Westbound I-80 was down to one lane as debris was being cleared from the road
Highway patrol and fire vehicles could be seen at the closure
which had traffic majorly snarled for a short time as the detour was being put into place
the traffic could be seen flowing smoothly
The crash happened in one of the few spots along that stretch of I-80 where an alternate route is available
UHP said the crash cleanup process was expected to take around four hours
The driver's name wasn't released
It wasn't clear if the individual had been identified as of the most recent update time of this report
By Marcus Jensen | January 17
Utah — Utah State University Tooele will launch a pilot summer program which aims to help local high school students get a jump start on their college education by offering a tailored program along with supplying a tuition waiver for qualifying students
The USU Tooele Summer Program will feature two 7-week programs
designed to prepare students for college and to explore career options
The program has been developed in collaboration with Tooele County stakeholders
who have identified local workforce areas that need more training and the need for more degree-recipients in local industry
USU’s mission is to provide exceptional education and develop a skilled workforce to bolster and meet the needs of the local economy
“This summer program will help students get a great start and experience in-person and hands-on learning from some of our amazing professors,” said Jenn Cowburn
“With the assistance of a student waiver for local
we are not only helping individuals start their educational journey but are also strengthening the economy in the region by meeting our community’s educational and workforce needs
We are proud to collaborate with our community partners to create opportunities that will have a lasting impact.”
The program will be broken into two different sessions
The first session will focus on college preparation courses
The second session will allow students the opportunity to explore the field of criminal justice
gaining hands-on learning experiences such as simulated investigations
A tuition waver will be available for qualifying students who reside in Tooele County. To see the full list of qualification criteria and to apply for the program, interested students should visit https://aggie.link/summer-program, or contact USU Tooele’s admissions specialist, Mike Booth (mike.booth@usu.edu) for more information
BY GARNA MEJIA
SALT LAKE CITY – The family of a Tooele man whose body was abused by Salt Lake City Police officers last year is speaking out after details into the department’s internal investigation were released through a public records request
very mellow,” Heather Fisher said of her big brother Jason Lloyd
Lloyd also suffered a debilitating mental illness that
after exhausting all resources available to help him
led him to prefer living outside on the streets
Lloyd maintained a strong connection to his loved ones and his stepfather visited him every week
ensuring he had supplies and essentials including money
“My dad knew all of his spots,” Fisher said
Fisher said Lloyd often shared what his family gave him with other people experiencing homelessness
Lloyd’s family was devastated when police called to inform them Lloyd was found deceased
“My parents saw him four days before he was found,” Fisher said
the Medical Examiner ruled 47-year-old Lloyd’s death accidental and was unable to determine how exactly he died
Heartbroken Lloyd’s family laid him to rest
“We want it to be known that he was not abandoned
He was loved and we did the best we could to support him,” Henwood said
they were expecting news of Lloyd’s headstone
they got a call from the SLCPD about an internal investigation into officers’ handling of Lloyd’s body
“It’s obvious they weren’t going to tell us unless they had to,” Fisher said
“They only told us the day before it all went public.”
Lloyd’s family and the public learned the details of the investigation
the department released body cam footage from the officers who responded to the scene
described as a “multitude of violations” of standards of conduct with the entire incident having “the potential to bring massive discredit to the department.”
rookie officer Dakota Smigel was inappropriately instructed to cut blisters on Lloyd’s arm with a box cutter
and staff with the Medical Examiner’s office
we just didn’t even have a clue the depth of how awful it was until seeing that footage,” Fisher said
“He was a human being and he was loved and I don’t care if he was homeless
He was a person and he mattered and I felt like they treated him like garbage.”
Lloyd’s family is devastated and questioned why no one from the police department or those representing the Medical Examiner’s Office were fired
the police department’s internal affairs investigation found four officers violated one or more SLCPD or City policies
The department imposed disciplinary actions ranging from a formal letter of warning to an unpaid suspension
resigned and Officer Michelle Peterson was issued a formal letter of warning
Lloyd’s family also questioned whether the incident was an isolated case or representative of something more sinister
“They were way too comfortable acting like that even with body cameras on
This can’t be their first time,” Fisher said
“We think it has probably happened many times and they are just so used to being insensitive,” Henwood said
“It’s not ok and I don’t want this to happen to any human being,” Fisher said
a civil lawsuit alleging he and another officer used excessive force in a 2023 incident involving a woman experiencing homelessness
The officers are accused of breaking the woman’s leg to the point of needing an amputation during a takedown maneuver despite being unarmed and compliant
Woman files civil lawsuit against two Salt Lake City police officers
“While we cannot comment on pending litigation
we are committed to our department’s core values that include compassion
especially with people experiencing homelessness,” a police department spokesperson said in an email response to KSL TV
the Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed they also conducted an investigation into the incident
The Office of the Medical Examiner (OME) performs a serious job that requires utmost respect for people who have died and their loved ones
We do not condone pranks or disrespect for those we serve while we are carrying out the duties required by our job
we have increased our internal training for staff
emphasizing our duty and commitment to treating decedents with the highest level of care
We conducted our own internal investigation of this incident
the OME investigator was placed on administrative leave
While our investigation found no wrongdoing on the part of our investigator
we instructed our vendor that their staff member who was involved can no longer respond to OME-related scenes
The OME is thankful for the partnership with the Salt Lake City Police Department as we work side by side in different roles every day and appreciate the seriousness with which this matter was dealt
TOOELE — A Tooele man has been arrested and is accused of assaulting a family member and not doing anything to save his dog from a fire
was booked into the Tooele County Jail on Wednesday for investigation of assault and cruelty to an animal
Tooele County sheriff's deputies were called to investigate a report of domestic violence
Officers learned that a woman had been pushed to the ground by Marshall "and punched in the head and face an estimated 20 times," according to a police booking affidavit
deputies also learned that his truck had started on fire
"Inside the truck was Michael's bulldog Duke
who died inside the truck because of the fire
knew it was on fire and neglected to save Duke," the affidavit alleges
The arrest report does not say how the fire started
Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:
Left: (Harry Shipler via Utah State Historical Society) The Hotel Tooele in Tooele in 1910
Right: (Environmental Protection Agency) The debris pile of the Hotel Tooele in 2022 shows asbestos at the site
The most recent chapter of Tooele City’s Broadway Hotel saga has ended
with its owner’s criminal case resolved and the site once again on the verge of rehabilitation
according to Environmental Protection Agency documents
The documents state the land
on the corner of Date and Broadway streets
will likely be sold to Tooele City for $300,000
and the city will then develop the parcel “for the public interest,” the documents say
What exactly the city plans to do with the site is unclear
but city spokesperson Shilo Baker told The Salt Lake Tribune this week that officials hoped the site would one day host commercial and residential units
the 69-year-old owner of the ill-fated project
is bowing out of the development business for good
Brett “regrets ever getting involved in the project in the first place given the financial and emotional toll it has taken on him and his family,” according to a sentencing memo written by his attorneys
“Nonetheless he understands his actions were negligent,” the memo continues
“in that he didn’t exercise more care in making decisions related to the demolition considering the high likelihood of asbestos in the building.”
District Judge David Sam on Monday sentenced Brett to pay $40,000 in restitution to a worker who was hired to clean up the site but lacked appropriate protective equipment
The worker wore only a dust mask as he sprayed the toxic site with water
sending clouds of black dust — and brittle
easily crumbling asbestos fibers — into the air
The money could be used for “medical monitoring for the decades to come,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo
Brett, who was facing three counts alleging violations of the Clear Air Act
instead pleaded guilty to one count of negligent endangerment
with Sam agreeing to drop the other counts
While federal prosecutors had asked Brett be sentenced to a year in prison
Sam declined to incarcerate the man and imposed no other conditions on his sentence
Defense attorney Eric Benson said Brett was “pleased” with that outcome
He’s stuck with a demolished building that he has to figure out how to how to pay for to clean up
and then the EPA comes in and cleans it up properly,” Benson said
“So that’s really his crime — is not knowing exactly what to do with an old building that did contain some asbestos.”
When Brett and his business partner Kevin Peterson took on the project
the building was a far cry from its grand 20th Century beginnings in Tooele City’s then-booming “New Town.”
The building, dubbed “the best hotel building outside of Salt Lake” by the The Salt Lake Herald-Republican in 1909, was now an eyesore, providing shelter to squatters.
Stevenson planned to renovate the building into affordable housing, and Brett, retired after years of military service followed by nearly two decades as an aerospace engineer with Northrop Grumman, was looking for a outlet to occupy his time.
In 2018, Peterson, who went to church with Brett, approached Brett about redeveloping the Broadway Hotel, according to court documents. Brett agreed, Benson said — and got more than he bargained for.
First, he and Peterson faced the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic slowdowns that ensued. Then, that spring, arsonists set fire to the historic building, “completely derailing their plans” and leaving “a literal giant mess to clean up,” according to court papers filed by Brett’s attorneys.
Peterson died in 2021, “leaving Mr. Brett to handle the ill-fated project alone with very little direction.”
While Brett knew the building likely had asbestos — a fact known since at least 2011 — prosecutors said he moved forward with demolition plans in December 2020.
“A retired engineer, Mr. Brett did not personally have anywhere near sufficient funds to continue work on the project, having found himself at the center of a money pit and at the helm of a project well outside of his wheelhouse,” the court documents read. “It was a mess on multiple levels.”
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) People recreate at a park near a subdivision in Tooele on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
Prosecutors told the story differently. According to their arguments, Brett “put profits above people” and moved forward with demolition while disregarding the health and safety of those he hired.
While he sought an asbestos survey prior to demolition, one was never completed, and he ultimately hired a company with little experience doing demolitions — one that wasn’t qualified to work with asbestos and that proceeded with the cleanup as if asbestos wasn’t present, prosecutors wrote.
Brett then let the pile sit, unwetted as required by federal law, for more than a year — allowing the lingering asbestos to threaten trespassers, passersby and neighbors, including the young children who attended nearby elementary schools, prosecutors wrote.
The EPA stepped in to remove the harmful debris in February 2022 at a cost of approximately $1.1 million, according to the charging documents.
While Brett’s plea reflects his “conduct during the few days of demolition itself,” prosecutors asserted that his his criminal conduct “continued for more than a year before EPA remedied the site.” They asked for the one-year sentence to send a message to “others similarly situated” who may to choose to prioritize “profit over safety.”
The EPA accepted public comment on the site’s proposed sale to Tooele City through Wednesday. Next, they could move forward with, change or withdraw the proposal.
For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support 801-237-2900 or email subscribe@sltrib.com
sltrib.com © 1996-2025 The Salt Lake Tribune
6:55 AM | Updated: 11:52 am
BY AMIE SCHAEFFER AND MARY CULBERTSON, KSL TV
SALT LAKE CITY — Rocky Mountain Power Company reported 25 power outages overnight and into Tuesday morning
there were more outages in the Salt Lake valley
The outages were recorded in Tooele and Utah counties
Rocky Mountain Power had not specified the cause as of 7 a.m
but an untimely snowstorm could have been a factor with a recorded 3.4 inches of snowfall overnight in Salt Lake City
according to KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson
There were approximately 1,000 people affected in Tooele and about 6,600 affected in Utah County
Around 7,400 customers impacted by power outages overnight
Outages in Tooele were first reported around 4:30 a.m
according to Rocky Mountain Power’s interactive map
Tooele’s estimated fix time was set for before 5 p.m
there were more outages reported across the Wasatch Front
Outages shown as of approximately 11:30 a.m
Crews are still investigating the cause of the power outages
Customers can check on the status of the outages by going to rockymountainpower.net
This story appears in the 2025 Advisor, a publication sponsored by Colliers Utah
Once considered a rural outpost and historically known as a mining district, Tooele County is becoming a magnet for businesses and residents alike. Anchored by the ambitious Lakeview Business Park and fueled by groundbreaking projects like the Savage Tooele Railroad (STR)
the county is shaping up to be a blueprint for balanced and thoughtful economic expansion
Tooele has redefined its accessibility for businesses and residents
“Tooele County is just 25 minutes from an international airport, with infrastructure to support it and ongoing infrastructure projects that will continue to bolster it,” says Tom Freeman
He believes these improvements make the county an attractive location for industries that rely on speed
One of the most transformative elements of Tooele’s infrastructure evolution is the Savage Tooele Railroad
The first new rail line in Utah in decades
the STR will establish a critical connection between the Lakeview Business Park and the Union Pacific network
Freeman calls it “a game-changer for manufacturing and distribution.”
“Each railcar handled by railroads removes three to four trucks off the road,” explains Phillip Hoskins, VP of business development at Savage. He also highlights findings from the American Association of Railroads (AAR)
which emphasize the environmental advantages of rail: Freight rail is significantly more fuel-efficient than trucking
with one train able to move nearly 500 tons of freight on a single gallon of fuel while removing hundreds of trucks from highways
These benefits position the STR as a critical component of Tooele’s sustainability and efficiency
At the center of Tooele County’s transformation lies the Lakeview Business Park
developed by The Romney Group in partnership with Prologis
serves as a vital engine for progression in the region
Freeman describes the park as a critical economic center in the county with “more than 1,700 committed acres to business development
including 900 acres of non-rail-served property and 800 acres of rail-served property.”
Tenants like Lineage Logistics and Jabil have established operations at Lakeview
and more businesses are expected to follow
“Prologis shares the vision that Lakeview Business Park is the premier rail-served, greenfield business park in the western United States,” says Anthon Stauffer
chief investment officer of The Romney Group
“the largest landlord of industrial warehouse space in the world,” brings significant expertise to the project
Lakeview Business Park is expected to accommodate approximately 24 million square feet of warehouse space and create about 10,000 jobs
He also estimates that the total investment could exceed $2.5 billion
solidifying its role as a key driver of Tooele County’s economy
While Tooele County races toward the future
developers and stakeholders remain mindful of balancing growth with sustainability
One of the biggest challenges in the region is water availability
“Lakeview Business Park secured all the necessary water for their 1,700-acre project at the time that they put this into production,” Freeman explains
“We want development that is high quality … and addresses some of the challenges in the region
while providing opportunities for people of all life stages to be able to find places to live
work and recreate in beautiful surroundings.”
a leading global mining and materials company and a key landholder in the region
has embraced sustainability as a guiding principle
“We’ve got probably 5,000 acres in the Salt Lake Valley and Tooele County that are prime for thoughtful development,” says Alan Matheson
general manager of land and water development at Rio Tinto
The company collaborates regularly with local and state leaders to identify opportunities for its business and to support the communities where it operates
Matheson also highlights some of the company’s efforts: “We’ve donated about 1,900 acre-feet of water annually to the Great Salt Lake to keep that lake wet.” he says, noting that, over the last few years, Rio Tinto closed down a coal-fired power plant and transitioned all of its heavy mining equipment from conventional to renewable diesel
“[That transition] reduces carbon emissions by 407,000 tons a year,” Matheson says. The company also recently announced a 25-megawatt solar power plant expansion project
Lakeview Business Park also reflects this balance between development and preservation
the acreage continues to be leased by agricultural tenants,” Stauffer explains
“The nature of Grantsville is changing to accommodate residential growth and development in place of the rural
Freeman highlights that farmland preservation remains a personal choice
as there are no mandates from Grantsville City
Tooele County or Tooele City dictating land use
He adds that the community strongly values property rights
a significant portion of Tooele County’s workforce commutes outside the county for work
many of them traveling to Salt Lake County
This creates a clear opportunity to bring jobs closer to home
reducing commutes and improving quality of life for residents
Lakeview Business Park is well-positioned to tap into the local labor force and improve commute options
Stauffer emphasizes the park’s convenient location
noting that it offers a reverse commute of just 30 minutes from nearby cities like Magna and Kearns
This strategic location offers businesses access to a broader labor pool in the surrounding areas
Rio Tinto’s developments are also shaping the region’s future
“We want development that is high quality … and addresses some of the challenges in the region,” Matheson says
noting efforts to reduce traffic generation
water use and air quality challenges “while providing opportunities for people of all life stages to be able to find places to live
SALT LAKE CITY — Unified police on Saturday located the body of a missing woman in a remote location in Tooele County
and officers conducted searches for her "violent ex-boyfriend" Saturday and Sunday before finally arresting him Sunday night
it became evident Talia Benward was either being held against her will by a violent ex-boyfriend or was deceased," Unified police said in a statement Sunday
marshals conducted searches for Nestor Rocha-Aguayo
Police say he was on a bus and was headed to Mexico
"We're grateful that we could bring this person into custody safely
Our detectives will be diligent in working this continuing case," said Unified Police Sgt
Beginning in the early morning hours on Saturday
police searched a remote area of Tooele County where they thought Benward could be
The large area is "covered with tall brush and cedar trees" and the search was conducted in "nearly total darkness and frigid snowy conditions."
Saturday with the assistance of the Salt Lake City and Weber County K-9 teams
it appears the victim may have suffered from blunt force trauma and trauma to her neck area," the statement says
The Unified Police Department considers Benward's death as a homicide and asked Sunday for the public's help in locating Rocha-Aguayo
The Unified Police Department is looking for Nestor Rocha-Aguayo
in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found Saturday in a remote area of Tooele County
(Photo: Unified Police Department)"We do believe he is still in Salt Lake County and are asking individuals to not confront him but to call police," the statement says
Court records indicate a violent history between Rocha-Aguayo and Benward
Benward returned home home and discovered that her bedroom window was open and items were missing
including her daughter's birth certificate
Rocha-Aguayo returned to the residence later that day and told her he took the belongings "to get her to leave with him so they could talk." He was charged with burglary.During an argument later that same month
he tried taking her purse but hit his head and broke off a rearview mirror
Rocha-Aguayo then grabbed the purse and began hitting her in the face
assault and property destruction.In December 2023
Rocha-Aguayo pulled his vehicle directly behind another vehicle to prevent Benward from leaving
then grabbed her by the hair and tried to pull her from the vehicle
He was charged with violating a protective order
unlawful detention and intoxication.In November 2023
Rocha-Aguayo prevented Benward from leaving the bedroom during an argument and destroyed her phone when she tried to call a cab
property destruction and violating the conditions of release after a domestic violence arrest.