Utah lawmakers want to raise the standards for freestanding emergency rooms around Utah

A bill that would set robust requirements for free-standing emergency rooms across the Wasatch Front advanced through the House Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday.

KEY POINTS

  • As more freestanding emergency rooms are created in Utah, many of them don’t have the necessary staff or equipment to provide proper care, bill sponsor says.
  • HB152 sets specific requirements for what staff these facilities should have, such as respiratory therapists and lab technicians.
  • It also requires emergency rooms to be more transparent about the cost of emergency care.

A bill that would set robust requirements for free-standing emergency rooms across the Wasatch Front advanced through the House Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday.

Sponsored by Rep. Katy Hall, R-South Ogden, HB152 sets requirements for the amount of staff and lists certain equipment that freestanding emergency rooms across the state need to have.

“These are the standards that we came up with in the bill and and we think and hope that it’s going to increase the public safety increase awareness that these are great places to go,” Hall said. “If you have an emergency, you can feel confident in where you’re going, that’s what we’re working towards.”

These free standing, or satellite, emergency departments are health care facilities that provide emergency or critical care away from a main hospital campus that are operated under the license of the parent hospital.

Hall said that as more of these facilities are created in Utah, many of them do not have the necessary staff or equipment to provide proper emergency care.

“I feel like Utah has a chance to decide what we want our emergency care to be, and we have a duty to the public and consumer trust,” Hall said.

What requirements does the bill set?

This bill sets specific requirements for freestanding emergency rooms in first and second class counties around Utah.

It requires these facilities to have at least two registered nurses, a respiratory therapist and a lab technician. Specific equipment to provide services such as CT scans, X-rays and sonograms are also required.

The number of satellite emergency rooms in Utah is growing, and the bill sets limitations to how many one hospital can have.

If the bill passes, any facilities that do not meet these requirements will not be able to identify themselves as providing emergency or critical care services.

This bill will also make it so emergency departments are more transparent and identifiable, including signage that says patients will have to pay emergency room prices.

This is meant help those who don’t necessarily need an emergency room, especially because of the cost of emergency care. If patients are experiencing something that isn’t truly an emergency then they can go to an Instacare for a lower cost, Hall said.

“Medical care is so expensive a person without insurance can go bankrupt from a single visit, and when that’s needed, that’s what’s needed, but the person needs to know what they’re choosing,” said Rep. Raymond Ward, R-Bountiful.

Why are these requirements necessary?

Hall started working on this bill last year after she was approached by a physician at one of these freestanding emergency departments. This constituent shared with her some of the issues that are seen at these departments, including them being understaffed and not having all the necessary equipment for emergency care providers to properly do their jobs.

“His position was, this is not allowing us to do our job to the best of our abilities as emergency physicians,” Hall said.

During the committee hearing, Rae Shelley Larsen, a nurse at one of these facilities shared her personal experience and why she thinks these changes are needed.

“I am concerned about safety with our staffing and giving our patients the best care, it is a safety issue,” Larsen said.

She shared that without the necessary staff she ends up doing the jobs of a lab tech and a respiratory therapist, both of which she is not fully trained or qualified to do, on top of being a nurse.

“We love the work that we do in our community, and we understand and our community loves us. They come to us and they trust us, and I’m afraid that trust that they’ve been giving us that we are going to not be able to uphold that trust in our community that we have established,” Larsen said.

This bill was originally introduced in 2024

Hall first started working on this bill over a year ago. It was introduced in last year’s legislative session and after passing through the House if was stopped in the Senate. She said that she worked hard over the interim to make the necessary changes to please all the stakeholders and get this bill through.

“It’s tough when you have something that you’re passionate about and that you know is for the public good not pass,” Hall said. “But at the same time, that just makes me want to try even harder to make something happen and come up with the right policy.”

Hall shared that she worked hard over the year, meeting with physicians, nurses and hospital administrators as well as visiting facilities from all four hospital systems, in order to prepare the bill for this legislative session.

She pointed out that she had to make a few compromises and concessions to get all the stakeholders on board with the bill. One of these necessary changes was that if a facility cannot get a respiratory therapist that position can be filled by someone else with respiratory training such as an EMT.

“There are lots of things that she’s required in this field that just makes sense, and the ones that didn’t we were able to find compromise, and I think we’ve gotten everything that we need,” said Francis Gibson with the Utah Hospital Association.

Source: Utah News

Three Man Weave: Cincinnati Falls at Utah to Wrap Road Trip 0-2

Utah News! Image is of two women hikers overlooking Bryce Canyon.

Cincinnati’s (12-8, 2-7) basktball season took a massive blow on Tuesday night in a 69-66 loss to Utah (12-8, 4-5). The offensive issues feel permanent at this point as Cincinnati shot under 43% from …

Cincinnati’s (12-8, 2-7) basktball season took a massive blow on Tuesday night in a 69-66 loss to Utah (12-8, 4-5). The offensive issues feel permanent at this point as Cincinnati shot under 43% from …

Source: Utah News

3 takeaways from Utah’s win over Cincinnati

Utah News! Image is of two women hikers overlooking Bryce Canyon.

Utah’s matchup with Cincinnati at the Huntsman Center late Tuesday night was filled with big second-half runs, lots of offense in the first half and plenty of physical defense in the second half. In …

Utah’s matchup with Cincinnati at the Huntsman Center late Tuesday night was filled with big second-half runs, lots of offense in the first half and plenty of physical defense in the second half.

In the end, the Utes won a grind-it-out game, 69-66.

3 takeaways

Two big runs defined a large part of the second half. Utah had a game-high eight-point lead at 44-36 early in the second half before going cold.

Over the next six minutes, Cincinnati forged a 14-0 run and moved ahead by six, as it used a physical defensive effort to force six Utah turnovers and five straight misses.

Utah, though, responded well and went on an 18-4 run of its own after the basket finally opened back up.

Keanu Dawes and Hunter Erickson sparked the start of the run, as the Utes moved up by eight again with five minutes to play.

Utah owned the boards. Utah held a 20-9 edge in rebounding during the first half, limiting the number of second chances for Cincinnati.

The Utes also made a pair of putbacks late in the first half — from Dawes and Mike Sharavjamts — that helped them take a six-point lead into halftime.

The Utes ended up with a 41-23 rebounding edge and owned a 36-22 advantage in points in the paint.

Utah shot out the lights in the first half, but it was a defensive struggle in the second. The Utes shot 66.7% in the first half, making 18 of 27 shots from the field. That included making 4 of 7 from 3-point range, as Utah was able to move the ball and led 40-34 at the break.

Then, in the second half, defense dominated the game.

Utah shot 36.4% after halftime, while Cincinnati was 33.3% from the floor in a back-and-forth game.

The Utes had 11 of their 19 turnovers in the second half, and the Bearcats turned that into a 21-10 edge in points off turnovers.

Ultimately, the Utes outshot their visitors 53.1% to 39.3% and made the plays in an ugly final minute to win.

Gabe Madsen, who scored a team-high 18 points, made 3 of 4 free throws in the final 15 seconds to wrap up the victory.

What’s next

The Utes (12-8, 4-5 Big 12) hit the road and will face Oklahoma State on Saturday (1 p.m. MST, ESPN+) at Gallagher-Iba Arena. The Cowboys (10-9, 2-6 Big 12) play at Kansas State on Wednesday before hosting Utah.

Source: Utah News

Opinion: Utah — a launchpad for the future

Utah’s story has always been one of bold ambition. By investing in a spaceport and the future of space exploration, we’re paving the way for the next frontier of possibility.

Utah is known for its breathtaking landscapes, pioneering spirit and industrious people. But did you know our state is also a powerhouse of aerospace and defense innovation? With industry giants like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Boeing driving technological development alongside our world-class universities and Hill Air Force Base, Utah has solidified itself as a leader in this high-flying sector.

Nationally, 2.2 million people are employed in this thriving sector, earning wages that are 50% higher than the national average. In Utah, the aerospace and defense industry accounts for an impressive 20% of Utah’s economy, employing nearly 300,000 individuals. Utah’s foresight ensures we’re punching above our weight.

This legislative session marks the dawn of an exciting chapter for Utah’s aerospace ambitions. We are proposing the formation of an exploratory committee to evaluate the feasibility of building a spaceport in our state, focusing on logistical, economic and environmental factors. Imagine it: a Utah spaceport — the gateway to the next frontier of exploration and discovery.

Why Utah? The answer is simple: Utah’s aerospace ecosystem is already soaring, and we’re about to take it to a whole new altitude. Our existing aerospace infrastructure provides a solid foundation, while our geographic advantages — clear airspace, favorable weather and excellent transportation networks — make us an ideal candidate.

This isn’t just a pipe dream.

On Feb. 11, 1971, the Utah Legislature passed SB121, establishing the “Space Port Committee.”

This committee brought together a wide range of local business leaders, political figures and state government officials. Feasibility studies led by University of Utah professors from engineering, economics and other fields highlighted that Utah’s high elevation could result in significant cost savings for space shuttle launches. The studies emphasized that more payload could be sent into orbit at a lower cost.

The Utah Spaceport Committee worked diligently to gain support, gathering endorsements from Utah’s congressional delegation, state and local officials and even representatives from neighboring states. The committee also organized visits to Utah for members of Congress and NASA officials to bolster their case.

While Utah was primed and ready, Cape Canaveral was ultimately selected as the launch site for the research and development phase.

This time around, we’re already one foot in the door. Utah-based Northrop Grumman already produces the solid rocket boosters for NASA’s Space Launch System, which powers the Artemis missions.

Utah universities and research institutions contribute to space exploration through cutting-edge research in fields such as robotics, material science and planetary science. Institutions like Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory are renowned for building small satellite systems and conducting research on space weather and imaging technologies.

A spaceport would solidify Utah as a prominent player in the global space industry and open more doors for Utahns in high-tech careers like aerospace engineering and space science.

A spaceport would act as a magnet for investment, partnerships and talent, bolstering Utah’s thriving clusters in technology, manufacturing and aerospace. It would diversify our economy, create high-quality jobs and foster innovation across sectors.

Some might wonder if this initiative is too ambitious. To that, we say: Utah’s story has always been one of bold ambition. From building a thriving economy in the heart of the desert to becoming a global hub for innovation, we’ve never shied away from dreaming big. By investing in the future of space exploration, we’re paving the way for the next frontier of possibility.

Utah stands at a crossroads. We can watch from the sidelines as the space industry takes off, or we can lead the way. By exploring the feasibility of a spaceport, we’re choosing to lead, to innovate and to dream big.

Source: Utah News

Is Utah in a ‘major’ housing crisis? A new study asked Utahns just that.

A recent survey found Utahns largely agree the state is in a ‘major’ housing crisis — but don’t concur on why.

Utahns appear to agree with Gov. Spencer Cox’s mantra that we must build, new research found.

More than 2/3 of about 600 Utah adults surveyed at the end of last year agreed the state is in a “major” housing crisis or at least facing serious challenges.

Though Utahns surveyed by Envision Utah and Utah Workforce Housing Advocacy disagreed on what caused the crisis, they were more likely to agree the solution is building more housing.

Ari Bruening, CEO of Envision Utah, said housing is the “greatest worry about life in Utah.” The group is nearly two decades old and focuses on growth-related challenges.

“Most Utahns realize this is one problem we can build our way out of,” Bruening said, “they just want us to do it in a well-planned way that doesn’t threaten other aspects of our quality of life.”

Utah will be 153,000 units short in five years

Utah faces a massive housing shortage compounded by high interest rates and a lag in construction. Projections show the state will be 153,000 housing units short of demand by 2030.

Respondents to the survey rated possible reasons from one to seven based on how much each has contributed to the crisis. The top reasons were:

  • 67% cited interest rates

  • 58% pointed to construction costs

  • 57% blamed greed by landlords and developers

  • 53% said too many people are moving to Utah

  • 35% faulted the lack of housing supply

Though Utahns could not agree on what caused the housing crisis, a slight majority agreed the path out — 53% said the state needs to “build more homes and increase the overall number and availability of homes and apartments.” But another 21% disagreed with that solution, and 26% were neutral.

The survey also found people worry most about low-income individuals and families, first-time homebuyers, young families and community workers like librarians and firefighters.

And why is Utah is growing? In agreement, respondents said Utah is an attractive place to live and officials need to manage growth responsibly so additional housing doesn’t lead to more traffic, crime or overuse of public services.

Utah Workforce Housing Advocacy, a group focused on increasing affordable housing options for middle-income workers, launched the campaign “Demand More Supply” in December.

The public awareness campaign highlights the connection between housing shortages and rising costs and advocates for the state to build its way out of the crisis.

Steve Waldrip, Cox’s senior advisor for housing strategy and an executive board member with Utah Workforce Housing Advocacy, said the state has to add housing supply to make sure the American Dream is still an option for Utahns.

“That’s why our campaign is focused on raising awareness of the core problem of high home prices — not enough supply,” Waldrip said in a statement.

Cox already is championing efforts to increase the housing supply. The governor wants to add 35,000 starter houses within five years, a push aimed at making homes more affordable for young families and a workforce squeezed by the high cost of living.

“Demand More Supply” also calls for proven solutions, including zoning reforms, public-private partnerships, incentives and cutting what they call red tape.

Lawmakers have proposed bills that would do some of those things.

One bill would make building accessory dwelling units and modular homes easier.

Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful, is proposing HB88, which would require cities in the first- and second-class counties of Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Washington and Weber to allow accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, on lots with detached, single-family homes and modular units in residential zones.

Ward also has proposed legislation that would allow housing in commercial zones.

SB152 from Sen. Nate Blouin, D-Salt Lake, would prohibit local officials from requiring a garage on one- and two-family homes.

Construction material costs have skyrocketed in recent years, with the price for some materials growing by more than 70% between 2020 and 2024, according to the National Association of Home Builders, meaning garageless homes are less expensive to build — and buy.

Another bill, HB37, would create an optional overlay tool for cities to provide a density bonus in exchange for affordable, owner-occupied units.

That legislation, from Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, also aims to improve data collection about housing, zoning, development, and infrastructure and would require the creation of regional plans around housing by next summer.

Other bills would:

  • Lower the damages a jury or court can award in an eviction case from treble damages — triple the daily rent from the expiration of the initial eviction notice until the tenant leaves the rental unit — to actual damages.

  • Make changes to existing programs that let local governments use tax increment financing — or TIF, which is tax revenue beyond an established base in a given area — to support development and infrastructure.

  • Add language to state law clarifying who can buy a single-family home in Utah.

  • Set a required notice period for rent increases.

  • Make it easier for local governments to regulate and tax short-term rentals.

  • Bolster the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund with state liquor revenues.

Source: Utah News

Utah’s Gianna Kneepkens named Big 12 Player of the Week

Utah women’s basketball star Gianna Kneepkens earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors following an incredible two-game stretch that showcased her scoring prowes …

Utah women’s basketball star Gianna Kneepkens earned Big 12 Player of the Week honors following an incredible two-game stretch that showcased her scoring prowess and all-around contributions.

Kneepkens delivered back-to-back 30-point performances, leading the Utes to victories over Kansas and BYU while cementing herself as one of the nation’s top players.

Against Kansas, Kneepkens achieved a career milestone with 30 points, complemented by a double-double thanks to her season-high 10 rebounds. She was just shy of a triple-double, dishing out a season-high eight assists. Her shooting efficiency stood out as she went 12-of-18 from the field, including six made three-pointers, both career highs.

Kneepkens followed that performance with an even more impressive outing against BYU, setting a new career-high with 32 points. She demonstrated her versatility by sinking a career-best 10 free throws and adding eight rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Kneepkens’ long-range accuracy was particularly remarkable, as she began the game 5-for-5 from beyond the arc and finished 6-of-7. She shot 8-of-16 from the field overall and 10-of-12 from the line.

Utah WBB boasts three McDonald’s All-American nominees

For the week, Kneepkens averaged 31 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals per game while shooting an impressive 58.8% from the field, 66.7% from three-point range, and 83.3% from the free-throw line. Her 31.0 points per game led the Big 12 and ranked fourth nationally during the week. Her 12 made three-pointers also vaulted her into national recognition, ranking eighth in total three-pointers (62), seventh in threes per game (3.10), and sixth in three-point percentage (47.0%).

The Holy War between Utah and BYU pulls in highest TV audience over past decade

This season, Kneepkens has been a consistent scoring threat, averaging 18.8 points per game while shooting over 50% from the field, nearly 47% from three, and 89.9% from the free-throw line. She has posted six 20-point games, including her recent four-game streak.

The Utes return to action on Friday night against Arizona, airing at 8:30 p.m. ET on FS1.

Source: Utah News

Lopeti Moala Jr. has become a priority target for Utah in 2026 recruiting class

Davis High School (Kaysville, UT) defensive lineman Lopeti Moala Jr. is quickly emerging as a key prospect for the Utah Utes’ 2026 recruiting class. At 6-foot- …

Davis High School (Kaysville, UT) defensive lineman Lopeti Moala Jr. is quickly emerging as a key prospect for the Utah Utes’ 2026 recruiting class.

At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Moala possesses the size and athleticism to develop into a dominant force on the defensive line. Although still raw in certain aspects of his game, his performances have drawn attention from top programs across the nation.

The on-field production for the three-star defender underscores his potential. In 2024, he recorded 79 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, and two interceptions. As a sophomore in 2023, he made an impact with 6.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks over 10 games. He also showcased his skills during the offseason, standing out as a top performer at the Powerhouse Linemen tournament. His combination of size, speed, and versatility makes him a highly coveted player.

Unsurprisingly, Moala has garnered offers from several major programs, including BYU, Iowa State, UCLA, USC, and Utah. Utah has prioritized his recruitment, and Moala recently attended the Utes’ junior day. Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “It was a great experience. I enjoyed it and had a fun time with the staff and other recruits. It’s been great just being able to reach out to the coaches and getting to know them and what the program has to offer,” he told KSL.

Utah Athletics took on budget deficit before joining Big 12, per report

However, Moala’s timeline for college football is unique. He plans to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before committing to football or basketball.

Dalton Kincaid’s heartbreaking drop costly for Bills’ Super Bowl hopes

This decision would align his arrival on campus with 2028, potentially after the retirement of longtime Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. Regardless of the timing, Moala’s recruitment will remain a key storyline for Utah fans.

Source: Utah News

Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball Storylines: At Utah

Cincinnati’s (12-7, 2-6) basketball season is in a tailspin as they wrap up their Utah road trip against the Utes (11-8, 3-5) on Tuesday night. The …

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati’s (12-7, 2-6) basketball season is in a tailspin as they wrap up their Utah road trip against the Utes (11-8, 3-5) on Tuesday night. The Bearcats just suffered their worst loss by margin 80-52 to BYU since Nov. 2022, and are 2-6 in conference play for the first time under Wes Miller.

Utah is a good team to face when you need a win, but no game is easy for this version of Cincinnati. The Utes enter this outing ranked 89th in KenPom and 78th in the NET, while Cincinnati is 53rd on KenPom and 48th in the NET.

ESPN’s Matchup Predictor gives Cincinnati a 50.8% chance to win the game. It’s a late-night tip at 10 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network. UC is 2-1 against Utah since the 1949-50 season.

Now would be a perfect time for Cincinnati to take hold of any identity and showcase a clear go-to scorer. Is that likely 19 games into a season? No, but Cincinnati won’t have a relevant postseason if not.

There is no go-to scoring option on UC’s roster right now, and with lacking three-point defense creeping in, a real identity is slipping away too. The lack of high-level scorers is astounding. No Bearcat ranks among the Big 12’s top-25 scorers. Cincinnati likely won’t have much luck finding a 20-plus point outing here. 

Utah is a stout defense that really only struggles with fouling (19.2 FT attempts allowed, 198th), which UC doesn’t force (14.6 free throw attempts per game, 351st nationally). This is one of the biggest, best rebounding teams Cincinnati has faced (39.9 rebounds per game, 28th). They don’t have a single player shorter than 6-4 in the rotation and boast three players 6-9 or taller.

It’s going to be extremely difficult to make shots against a defense allowing 45.4% from two (33rd), and 31.9% from deep (128th). Utah closes out very well on jumpers and can get foul-happy, but there’s no indication Cincinnati will give them a reason to do that recklessly at 25% from three in conference.

Dan Skillings Jr., Simas Lukošius, Jizzle James, someone.

Anyone.

It’s desperation mode for Cincinnati offensively and one or more of its supposed top players has to take control of this situation themselves. Show some fire, get aggressive downhill, and above all else, hit some jump shots. Basketball gets pretty simple when you shoot as badly as the Bearcats have: Can’t win unless you shoot better… (39.8% FG mark in conference play).

Utah funnels a lot of its offense through two players and is one of the best offenses nationally at swinging the ball for open looks. They enter the game averaging 18.9 assists per game (sixth nationally), and they do it as a group.

Four different players average at least 2.4 assists per game, including guard Gabe Madsen (14.8 points, 2.7 assists), who will crush Cincinnati alone if he gets hot. He leads the team in scoring but has been awful in conference play and UC needs to keep that rolling (9.8 points, 32.2% effective field goal rate).

Forward Ezra Ausar (11.1 points, 4.7 rebounds) has increased his production in conference play and is probably the top option to stop offensively. The 6-9 bruiser has active hands around the rim and is part of a balanced frontcourt by the Utes.

That assist number tells you a lot of what you need to know. 10 different Utes average at least four points per game on a pretty deep roster. Same with free throws, where five different Utes average at least two attempts. Utah is shooting just 62.3% at the stripe (358th nationally), but could open up a gap here if those shots fall. Cincinnati’s allowing about two more free throws per game in conference play, compared to non-conference.

UC has to create at least one five-game winning streak over the next 40 days to make the NCAA tournament. Getting their second-road win in conference play would be a good start. Alas, this team has to prove it can shoot with any consistency to earn the benefit of the doubt in spots like this (301st in three-point percentage, 347th in FT percentage).

Bookmark Bearcats Talk for the latest news, breakdowns, and so much more. Check out our YouTube page as well, starting with the video below.

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Source: Utah News

2 decades after Utah man found stabbed to death, DNA leads to arrest

Utah News! Image is of two women hikers overlooking Bryce Canyon.

Authorities in Utah have arrested a suspect accused of stabbing a man to death 20 years ago, in a case that went unsolved before recent technological advancements allowed an investigation to move …

Authorities in Utah have arrested a suspect accused of stabbing a man to death 20 years ago, in a case that went unsolved before recent technological advancements allowed an investigation to move forward.

Jason Royter’s girlfriend found him dead on Aug. 6, 2005, at his residence in the Salt Lake City area. He was 33. Royter had suffered multiple stab wounds, and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Despite investigators’ attempts over the course of about a decade to identify a perpetrator, no meaningful leads materialized.

At that point, the case was turned over to the Salt Lake County cold case unit, and detectives with the Sheriff’s Office diligently investigated for another decade, the office said in a news release, noting that recent advancements in investigative techniques and processes finally led to a breakthrough.

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Detectives with the sheriff’s office apprehended Mark Munoz, 53, last Thursday for allegedly killing Royter, the office said. Munoz was taken into custody on murder charges.

Jason Royter's family speaks at a news conference organized by the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office on Friday, Jan. 24, 2024. / Credit: Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office

Jason Royter’s family speaks at a news conference organized by the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, Jan. 24, 2024. / Credit: Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office

DNA evidence collected at the scene of Royter’s murder matched a sample flagged in 2024 by the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services, CBS News affiliate KUTV reported, citing court documents filed after the suspect’s arrest. The latter sample had been collected directly from Munoz.

Once forensic services informed the sheriff’s office of the match, detectives set out to locate him. It was challenging because Munoz is unhoused, does not have a cell phone and does not regularly keep in touch with family or friends, a deputy’s report said, according to KUTV.

“This arrest is a testament to the dedication and commitment of our detectives who never gave up on finding justice for Jason Royter,” Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said in a statement. “To Mr. Royter’s family, we hope this development brings a measure of peace, knowing we are closer to uncovering the truth of that tragic day.”

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Rivera said at a news conference Friday that their investigation is still active and detectives continue “looking for any additional evidence that will help the case.”

“Jason died a very tragic death, and we want to make sure that justice is served,” she said.

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Source: Utah News