Tuesday morning, December 31, 2019
Northern Utah
New Year’s Eve Transit
If you’re heading out on the town for New Year’s Eve, you might want to check public transit schedules ahead of time. Utah Transit Authority bus schedules will offer regular service New Year’s Eve. TRAX, Streetcar and FrontRunner will have extended weekday service. On New Year’s Day, there will be no service for TRAX, Streetcar, or Frontrunner. Only ski buses will be running on Wednesday, not including Sundance. — Caroline Ballard
Southern Utah
Man Convicted Of Utah Murder Dies On Death Row
A serial killer who died on California's death row last week had killed a Grand County woman in 1991. Phillip Carl Jablonski was on parole when he fatally shot 58-year-old Margie Rogers during a truckstop robbery at Rogers Roost in Thompson Springs. He was captured the following day on a parole violation. He was on death row for five murders. — Diane Maggipinto
State
Preparing Buildings For The Big One
There’s a roughly 50% chance that a magnitude 6 or larger earthquake will shake the Wasatch front in the next half century and many older structures would not withstand it. It can be costly to retrofit a house to prevent that from happening: $15,000 to $20,000. But a Utah program called “Fix the Bricks” has received more federal money to help with seismic reinforcement. Read the full story. — Sonja Hutson
Made In Utah 2019
Several hundred film permits issued by the state of Utah this year made for a busy 2019. The Utah Film Commission says nearly two dozen productions received film incentives, including for features, television series and documentaries. Among the productions filmed in the state this year were Disney's "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series," which will film a second season here next year. Some scenes feature East High, following the tradition of the movie franchise. Two films shot in Utah will premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. The Utah Film Commission says productions across the state created more than 1,500 local jobs. — Diane Maggipinto
In With A Bang
The fireworks window opens at 11 a.m. on New Year's Eve. Utah law allows fireworks to be ignited until 1 a.m. on Jan. 1. Personal or Class-C fireworks can be used by those age 16 or older. Most municipal parks in Utah are off-limits for lighting fireworks, as are national parks and forests and all public land. For a list of New Year’s events, visit KUER’s community calendar. — Diane Maggipinto
Snow In The New Year
The old year goes out, the new one comes in, accompanied by plenty of snow. A winter storm warning kicks in before dawn Wednesday for much of Utah. Forecasters say travel could be very difficult with potential for slick, snow-covered roads and highways and urge caution on I-70, across passes on I-15, and on I-84. — Diane Maggipinto