UVSC student dies from football injury
PROVO -- A Utah Valley State College student injured in an intramural football game at Brigham Young University earlier this month has died.Chester Rodger, 18, died Thursday, Nov. 11 at the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, after he was transported with head injuries he suffered during a flag football game on Nov. 5. He was a natural science major from Gainesville, Fla., in his first semester at the Orem school.
While playing wide receiver, Rodger jumped to catch a pass and landed on his back, causing his head to hit the turf hard, police said.
"His head apparently snapped back as he hit the ground," said a BYU police report.
Rodger was unconscious at the scene, and he was transported from there to the Medical Center. The incident took place at BYU's intramural field, located just west of Cougar Stadium. Police said no other players were injured.
Farmington worker critical after cave-in
CENTERVILLE -- A Farmington man received extensive injuries when a ditch he was digging caved in on him Monday afternoon.
Zachary George, 42, was buried for 60 seconds before a co-worker uncovered his head. It then took rescue crews 45 minutes to free him from the 9-foot-deep pit.
Sgt. Paul Child of the Centerville Police Department said George was standing inside the ditch and was about to climb out of it on a ladder when the cave-in occurred at 3:53 p.m.
George was airlifted to the University of Utah Medical Center and was listed in critical but stable condition Tuesday morning with two broken legs, and chest and head injuries.
"He was having a hard time breathing, but he was conscious" when South Davis firefighters, Davis County Sheriff's paramedics and Centerville police officers arrived on the scene, Child said.
"He's actually a pretty tough guy. He was in a tough situation, and he was handling it really well."
George hit his head on the ladder when the wall of the trench gave way, Child said.
George, who owns his own company, was installing a sewer pipeline in a residential street at about 100 East and 500 North in Centerville.
Volunteers needed for yule assistance
Volunteers, especially those who speak Spanish, are needed for the Salt Lake Community Christmas Council's annual assistance program.
The council includes Deseret News' Sub for Santa, KUTV and The Salvation Army's Angel Tree, the USMC Reserves Toys for Tots and Catholic Community Council programs. It needs help assessing families who might need assistance for Christmas. Interviewing and screening takes place at The Salvation Army, 7672 S. 125 West, Midvale, and will continue through Saturday, Dec. 4.
Those willing to help may call 322-1253, ext. 230.
Anyone who might need Christmas help or knows some who does and would like to be assigned to one of the programs may call 569-0777.
Stewart is sworn in as a federal judge
Ted Stewart, former chief of staff for Gov. Mike Leavitt, was sworn in Monday afternoon as Utah's newest federal judge.
The private ceremony was conducted by U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell and was attended by Stewart's family, Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and other federal judges from Utah. A public ceremony will be held later this month or early December.
Stewart was nominated to the federal bench last year by Hatch. He was finally confirmed by the U.S. Senate last month after months of political maneuvering. President Bill Clinton signed the commission to make Stewart a federal judge last week.
Stewart is a former aide to Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah, and former chairman of the Utah Public Service Commission. He also served as director of the Utah Department of Natural Resources.