Tuesday, September 26, 2023 | 
Screenshot_2023-07-20_at_10.50.04_AM.0.png

Kaitlyn Bancroft

Kaitlyn Bancroft is a reporter with Church News. Previously, she’s written for KSL.com, The Salt Lake Tribune, The Spectrum & Daily News (part of the USA TODAY NETWORK), The Denver Post, Deseret News and The Davis Clipper. She’s a 2019 graduate of Brigham Young University’s journalism program, where she worked at The Daily Universe for four years. Follow her work on Twitter @katbancroft or on Instagram @katbancroftreports, and email her at kbancroft@deseretnews.com.

29040664.jpeg
Utah
Davis County launches program aimed at keeping parolees from returning to prison
The Davis County Sheriff’s Office, has expanded programming and reentry services that address individuals’ recidivism risk factors.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28696914.jpeg
Utah
2 sentenced in gift card and wire fraud scheme based out of Utah
Chen and Zheng each pleaded guilty to a count of wire fraud, district court records show.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28294789.jpeg
Utah
Is a healthy environment a ‘fundamental right’? Utah Supreme Court to hear climate case
The Utah Supreme Court will decide a constitutional climate case filed by a youth advocacy group.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
merlin_2949507.jpg
Utah
Man pleads guilty to groping mother, daughter in Logan grocery store
Mark Chadwick Porter, who is listed as homeless in court documents, was initially charged with two counts of forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony, 1st District Court records show.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
29106731.jpeg
Utah
Woman pretended to be friend who looks like her to avoid theft charge, police say
Clarisa Beth Otasua, 36, was charged last week in 1st District Court with retail theft and obstructing justice, third-degree felonies; and giving false personal information, a class A misdemeanor.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
26026410.jpg
Utah
Woman files civil rights complaint against Park City School District
The Park City mother said her family is Jewish and her daughter was experiencing antisemitic bullying at Ecker Middle School, with students saying they hate Jewish people or saying “KKK” in her daughter’s face, over and over.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
29193503.jpeg
Utah
World War II vet celebrates 100th birthday with friends, family and a morning walk at the mall
In his 100 years, Minoru Hamada said he’s learned the importance of living a healthy life, from eating well to exercising regularly.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
27755997.png
Utah
14-year-old uses social media to track down man accused of robbing him
The 14-year-old reported a robbery on Feb. 25, saying he had arranged over Snapchat to sell Nichols a Cronus Zen gaming console for $150.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
29182111.jpeg
Utah
Police say man killed by Farmington officers had gun; victim’s mom filed suit over separate traffic stop
Police say 25-year-old Chase Allan had a gun on the seat next to him during a traffic stop that ended with five officers shooting and killing him.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
A 17-year-old girl riding her bike in Tremonton was killed when she was hit by a garbage truck Tuesday morning.
Utah
1 in critical condition after auto-bicycle accident
The eastbound lanes of 3900 South at 500 West in Millcreek will be closed until about 11 a.m. while police conduct the investigation, police said.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
29178417.jpeg
Utah
‘Nothing more joyful': Special Olympics team triumphs in Brighton High basketball game
The scrimmage between the Brighton boys basketball team and the Unified Special Olympics team was held with support from Abby Cox’s Show Up initiative, which aims to increase connectedness and empathy among Utahns, particularly children.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
merlin_2860238.jpg
Utah
Utah woman charged with shooting ex’s girlfriend now accused of attacking another woman
Shaina Cary Hold, 32, is now charged in 4th District Court with aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; possession of a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor; plus child abuse, theft, domestic violence in the presence of a child and possession of drug paraphernalia, class B misdemeanors.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28793192.jpeg
Utah
Probation ordered for Utah County man in scheme to steal millions from government
Michael Tingey, 48, of Cedar Hills, was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to wire fraud.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28205149.jpg
Utah
Provo accounting firm charged in $11M COVID-19 tax fraud scheme
Zachary Bassett, 39, of Provo, and Mason Warr, 37, of Vineyard, are both charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S., wire fraud and filing false tax returns, district court records show.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28889858.jpeg
Utah
Man arrested for following and forcibly kissing BYU student, police say
Johnny John Joe, 56, was booked into the Utah County Jail Saturday for investigation of forcible sexual abuse, a first-degree felony, and giving false information to law enforcement officers, a class B misdemeanor, according to 4th District Court records.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28416851.jpeg
Utah
Logan father pleads guilty in malnutrition death of 46-day-old baby
Logan police were first contacted by a family member of the baby who said the infant was unresponsive on Dec. 31, 2021.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
29162834.jpeg
Utah
NBA unveils newly renovated gym and STEM lab at Salt Lake elementary school
“This group is really lucky to get this chance for a new STEM lab and our new gym,” student at Lincoln Elementary. Sayed Miri said.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28205149.jpg
Utah
‘Dangerous sex offender’ given 21 months in prison
Utah District Court Judge David Barlow ordered Thursday that John Freeman Colt serve 21 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28794511.jpeg
Utah
Prison ordered for Clinton man who robbed, murdered man walking down Ogden street
‘No one deserves to be robbed or murdered. That’s what mothers’ worst nightmares are made of,’ sister of Clinton Burrows, Becky Kroger said
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
4012524.jpg
Utah
Judge awards $10.55M in Arches accidental beheading trial
Esther “Essie” Nakajjigo was 25 when, during a camping trip to Arches National Park in June 2020, she was beheaded by a metal gate that blew closed in strong winds and sliced through the side of the car she was riding in
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
29127262.jpeg
Utah
Why 100 students at this Salt Lake high school staged a walk out
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28493483.jpeg
Utah
Payson man who posed as doctor gets 3 months in jail, probation
The man initially faced 17 charges, including six counts of aggravated assault, third-degree felonies; and money laundering, communications fraud and surreptitious administration of a poisonous substance, second-degree felonies.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
merlin_2846715.jpg
Utah
Riverdale woman paid nephew to burn down her trailer home, charges say
Herminia Torres-Gonzalez, 45, and Sigifredo Gomez-Torres, 18, are each charged with aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, and conspiracy to commit aggravated arson, a second-degree felony.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28772608.jpeg
Utah
Utah woman who stabbed teens over TikTok video sentenced to 1 year in jail
Utah woman sentenced to 1 year in jail for stabbing two female teenagers over a Tik Tok video disagreement.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28205149.jpg
Utah
Federal sentence added to Davis County man serving 25 years for child sex abuse
A man from Davis County is now set to serve 25 years to life in the Utah State Prison for sexually abusing children.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
merlin_2929828.jpg
Utah
Nibley man gets prison time for sexually exploiting minors, forging documents
After initially receiving 22 charges on sexual exploitation of children and 15 forgery charges, a man will only serve a year in prison.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
28935833.jpeg
Utah
Layton man who shot ex-girlfriend’s date says ‘she’s been my only problem’
A Layton man’s prior convictions are coming to light in his sentencing hearing for shooting his ex-girlfriend’s date.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
Family members grab a cookie after leaving Crumbl in Lehi on Friday, Dec. 21, 2018.
Utah
11 Crumbl Cookie stores found violating child labor laws
Young employees — many only 14 or 15 years old — worked more hours than permitted by law or in hazardous or prohibited conditions.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
27911145.jpeg
Utah
Utah cookie wars carry on, inside and outside of court
Cookie company Dirty Dough has seen an increase in sales since being sued earlier this year by competitor Crumbl.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft and Ashley Moser
Sonali Loomba, Kaladharaa Dance owner, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and Srilatha Singh, Chitrakaavya Dance owner.
Utah
How these organizations are merging art and technology to benefit Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall joined other creative leaders in a discussion about the future of art and technology in the city.
By Kaitlyn Bancroft
Load More