News Releases
Gov. Cox appoints Eric Gentry to Fifth District Court
Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Eric Gentry to the Fifth District Court, replacing retiring Judge Michael Westfall. Gentry’s nomination requires confirmation by the Utah Senate.
Gentry is a longtime prosecutor and currently serves as a Deputy County Attorney in Washington County where he’s been since 2007. Currently, he is assigned to the Special Victims Prosecution team, where he manages a caseload that consists exclusively of homicide, child and adult sexual offenses, serious physical abuse, and other high-profile cases. Prior to this role, he served as a prosecutor for the city of Santa Clara, the city of Enterprise and was an assistant city attorney for the city of St. George. Gentry was also an associate at Snow, Jensen & Reese and an associate at Christopherson, Farris, White & Utley, both in St. George. (Read More)
Utah Senate requests public comment on 5th District Court nominee
The Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is seeking public comment on Eric Gentry, who Gov. Spencer J. Cox nominated to serve as a judge in the 5th District Court.
Those who desire to comment should contact the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee electronically or by mail at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel by 5:00 p.m. Thursday, July 27, 2023. Electronic comments can be emailed to senatejudicialnominees@le.utah.gov. Written comments can be mailed to the Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee at the Utah State Capitol, Suite W210, PO Box 145210, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5210. All statements should include the respondent’s name, telephone number and mailing address. (Read More)
UVU appoints new chair, vice chairs, and members of the 2023 Board of Trustees
Nebo School District Superintendent Rick Nielsen has been named chair of Utah Valley University’s Board of Trustees. Scott M. Smith has been named first vice chair, and Jeanette Bennett second vice chair.
Former chair James Clarke and former first vice chair Jill Taylor have completed their terms of service and have rotated off the board. Noel Vallejo, a business leader in technology training and certification, and Andrea Clarke, a business leader and philanthropist, will fill their vacancies. (Read More)
Mayor Wilson responds to UDOT’s record of decision
In response to UDOT’s announcement regarding Little Cottonwood Canyon, Salt Lake County Mayor Wilson issued the following statement:
“Today’s UDOT’s decision is not surprising, and the inclusion of the gondola is disappointing. However, thanks to pressure from residents and our county’s advocacy, UDOT has committed to making sure Common-Sense Solutions in this initial phase are successful. That’s great news because it means the gondola is not inevitable. (Read More)
Romney secures Utah priorities in annual defense bill
U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) this week secured several measures in the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes funding levels and provides authorities for the U.S. military and other critical defense priorities, ensuring America’s forces have the training, equipment, and resources they need to carry out their missions. The bipartisan Senate NDAA includes five Romney measures aimed at protecting against threats from China and Russia and reaffirming the critical role Utah plays in our national security. The legislation is expected to be considered on the Senate floor as soon as next week. (Read More)
Romney, colleagues introduce bipartisan bill to strengthen wastewater testing systems for public health emergency preparedness
U.S. Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Angus King (I-ME) today introduced the bipartisan Public Health Response and Emergency Detection Through Integrated Wastewater Surveillance (PREDICT) Act. This legislation would strengthen and expand the National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS), which was initially developed to coordinate and build the United States’ capacity to track the presence of SARS-CoV-2, and other infectious-disease causing pathogens in wastewater, by awarding grants to state, tribal, and local health departments. These grants would allow communities to bolster their detection and monitoring capabilities of infectious diseases through wastewater for public health emergency preparedness and response. (Read More)
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