Nominees announced for 3rd District Juvenile Court vacancies
SALT LAKE CITY – The 3rd District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for two vacancies on the 3rd District Juvenile Court. The vacancies result from the retirements of Judge Charles Behrens, Jr., effective July 1, 2017 and Judge C. Dane Nolan, effective July 15, 2017. The 3rd Judicial District includes Salt Lake, Summit and Tooele counties.
The nominees for the vacancy are: Steven Beck, attorney, Utah Juvenile Defender Attorneys; David Brickey, city attorney, City of West Jordan; Frank Call, attorney at law; Susan Eisenman, division director, Office of the Attorney General; Annette Jan, section director, Office of the Attorney General; Sophia Moore, conflict attorney, Utah Juvenile Defender Attorneys.
Written comments can be submitted to the 3rd District Judicial Nominating Commission Chair Jack Wixom at judicialvacancies@utah.gov or Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, P.O. Box 142330, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2330. The deadline for written comments is noon April 21, 2017. The Nominating Commission may request further information or conduct an investigation of the nominees after reviewing public comments. After the public comment period, the names will be sent to Gov. Gary R. Herbert, who will have 30 days to make an appointment. Gov. Herbert’s appointee is subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.
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Small Business Optimism Sustained in March
A jump in the Uncertainty Index signals some uneasiness among small business, said the National Federation of Independent Business
Washington, D.C. (April 11, 2017) – The remarkable surge in small business optimism that began in November of last year was sustained in March, according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Economic Trends Report, released today.
“Small business owners remain optimistic about the future of the economy and the direction of consumer confidence,” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan. “We are encouraged by signs that optimism is translating into economic activity, such as capital investment and job creation.”
The Index slipped 0.6 points in March to 104.7, still a very strong reading. Actual earnings, capital expenditure plans, and job-creation plans posted gains in March. Sales expectations, which have been flying high for months, dropped by 8 points, a sign that the Optimism Index could be moderating after a strong run.
“By historical standards, this is an excellent performance, with most of the components of the Index holding their gains,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “The increases in capital expenditure plans and actual earnings are signs of a healthier economy, and we expect job creation to pick up in future months.”
Dunkelberg noted that while the overall Index remained strong in March, a significant increase in the Uncertainty Index, a subset of data on how small business owners see the near-term future, could indicate trouble on the horizon.
“The Uncertainty Index hit 93 in March, which is the second highest reading in the survey’s history,” he said. “More small business owners are having a difficult time anticipating the factors that affect their businesses, especially government policy.”
Most of the March data were collected before Congress failed to pass a bill repealing and replacing Obamacare. A big reason for the soaring optimism of the past five months is the expectation among small business owners that Obamacare and other burdensome policies will be reversed by Congress and the new administration.
“The April data (due out in May) will tell us much more about how small business owners are processing the events in Washington,” said Duggan. “We know they have struggled under Obamacare, and that taxes are a major concern. Congress’s failure to keep its promises could dampen optimism, and that would ripple through the economy.”
To view the full report, please visit www.nfib.com/sboi. For more information about NFIB, please visit www.nfib.com.Student Loan Repayment: Fact vs Fiction
Nonprofit credit, student loan counseling agency Take Charge America breaks down common misperceptions including refinancing, interest rates, federal programs and more
PHOENIX – (April 11, 2017) – The student loan crisis is center stage now with a proposed bill that would offer tuition-free college for most Americans while reducing student loan interest rates. At the same time, the fate of Public Service Loan Forgiveness has come into question, creating alarm among borrowers who are unsure whether they meet eligibility requirements.
“Student loans are a constant source of stress and confusion,” said Sarah Hamilton, student loan supervisor for Take Charge America, a national nonprofit credit counseling and student loan counseling agency. “Constant media coverage has created a lot of uncertainty, giving rise to pervasive misperceptions about loan repayment. It’s made worse by the fact that servicers aren’t required or incentivized to tell their clients about all repayment options, so many borrowers are simply in the dark.”
To ensure borrowers are clear on what’s fact and fiction, Hamilton dispels seven common myths:
Myth: Wide availability of loan forgiveness. Borrowers who are struggling to make payments often seek “loan forgiveness,” but this option is highly limited:
Myth: It’s easy to lower the interest rate. Rates are set when a borrower takes out a student loan and cannot be reduced. However, borrowers may benefit from a Direct Consolidation Loan, which combines multiple federal loans and offers a fixed rate based on the weighted average of individual loans.
Myth: Private loans offer better rates. Private loans are credit-based, meaning interest rates may end up being higher. These loans may also extend the terms, meaning borrowers will pay more over the life of the loan. Borrowers who refinance to a private loan may also lose government subsidies, including forgiveness options and deferments.
Myth:Loans can be dismissed in bankruptcy. It’s extremely difficult to obtain student loan forgiveness – even in bankruptcy. Instead, loans are placed on hold, meaning borrowers are left with the debt after bankruptcy.
Myth: I can get away without paying my debt. Up to 40 percent of borrowers are late or delinquent on their loans, and many minimize the consequences because “nothing bad has happened yet.” However, student debt is reported to the credit bureaus and negatively impacts delinquent borrowers’ credit scores. And, unlike other debts, negative reporting doesn’t end after seven years. Moreover, the government may elect to start a wage garnishment, set a tax offset or even withhold Social Security.
Myth: Loans are discharged when a school closes. While loan discharge may be possible when a borrower’s school shuts down, the criteria are stringent. Moreover, borrowers whose loans are discharged in this way forgo the opportunity to transfer any credits they earned at that school.
Myth: It’s hard to qualify for alternative repayment plans. Loan servicers often place borrowers into the standard 10-year repayment plan automatically, but there are numerous options that may be a better fit for borrowers’ individual circumstances. Borrowers may want to seek help from a nonprofit student loan counseling agency for help evaluating alternative programs.
Borrowers seeking more information about student loan repayment options can visit Take Charge America at studentloans.takechargeamerica.org or call (877) 784-2008.
About Take Charge America, Inc.
Founded in 1987, Take Charge America, Inc. is a nonprofit agency offering financial education and counseling services including credit counseling, debt management, student loan counseling, housing counseling and bankruptcy counseling. It has helped more than 1.6 million consumers nationwide manage their personal finances and debts. To learn more, visit www.takechargeamerica.org or call (888) 822-9193.
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Alyssa Baer of Holladay, a senior at Olympus High School, will be presented with an engraved bronze medallion to recognize her selection as a Distinguished Finalist for Utah in the 2017 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards.
Presentation information:
Date: Thursday, April 13
Time: 11:45 a.m.
Event: Class presentation
Location: Olympus High School, 4055 South 2300 E, Holladay
Contact: Stephen Perschon, 385-646-5400
Alyssa is an active volunteer and service leader with the Be Strong Service Club, where she worked with other club leaders to establish weekly service visits to a school serving adults and children with special needs. For more information on Alyssa’s volunteering, click here: https://spirit.prudential.com/honoree/2017/ut/alyssa-baer
About the award:
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, conducted by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), represent the United States’ largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. All middle and high schools in the U.S., along with all Girl Scout councils, county 4-H organizations, Red Cross chapters, YMCAs and affiliates of HandsOn Network, were eligible to select a student or member for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award last November. Two State Honorees—one middle and one high school student—plus a select number of Distinguished Finalists from each state and the District of Columbia were selected based on criteria such as personal initiative, effort, impact and personal growth.
For more information on the rest of this year’s Prudential Spirit of Community Awards State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists, visit http://spirit.prudential.com.
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Virtualities opening up 2nd location at Layton Hills Malls.
Grand Opening Begins April 20, 2017
Layton, UT—April 10th, 2017— Swimming with sharks, riding a rollercoaster, and hunting zombies is now a reality – or a virtual reality – in Layton. Virtualities, a virtual reality arcade and cinema, will hold their grand opening celebration April 20th – 23rd. A ribbon cutting event with the Davis Chamber of Commerce will be held on Thursday April 20th at 4:00pm to kick–off the weekend of activities.
“Virtualities started as the very first virtual reality cinema in the United States and one of the very first arcades.” said Virtualities owner Ryan Burningham. “Virtual Reality is incredible technology and has the capacity to make you feel like you are in another world. In an arcade setting it has the capacity to bring people together with thrilling experiences.” The first location opened at the Gateway Mall in September of 2016. They frequently plays hosts to corporate team building events in VR and plenty of birthday parties.
“Layton Hills Mall is extremely excited to have this unique experience at our location,” said Danielle Bendinelli, Marketing Director for Layton Hills Mall. “It’s the perfect addition to all the amazing activities we now offer on site. Another great venue for a date night, family night or night out with friends.”
Escape into a whole new world at Virtualities’ cinema, where patrons can sit down, but they definitely won’t relax, as their adrenaline spikes as they escape from zombies in a multiplayer experience or ride on a roller coaster. Looking for a more interactive experience? Tee off against other patrons in a game of miniature golf, or battle robots in Raw Data. Virtualities also has one of the nation's first Virtual Reality Treadmills which they have brought to their location in a partnership with Virtuix Omni.
Media Inquiries:
Members of the media are invited out to attend the April 20th Ribbon Cutting event.
To RSVP, receive additional information or to schedule a complimentary private tour and interview, available from April 17th-21st please contact Ryan Burningham at 801-669-4277 or email Ryan@virtualities.co.
Virtualities is located on the lower level of The Layton Hills mall, and is open during normal mall hours.
For more information, visit https://www.virtualities.co
About Layton Hills Mall:
Layton Hills Mall is owned and managed by CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. of Chattanooga, Tennessee, (NYSE:CBL). Layton Hills Mall features more than 100 great specialty shops and is anchored by JCPenney and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Additional information can be found at ShopLaytonHills.com.
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If the goin's good, you might as well keep goin'!! With the most snow we've seen in almost a decade, we decided to keep the good times rollin. Closing day has been bumped to SUNDAY APRIL 23rd 2017!
To celebrate our 80th year of operation, we are offering any season pass holder from any resort in America the chance to buy a $40 lift ticket from April 17th 2017 to April 23rd 2017! Head to the Brighton Ticket Window and present your season pass from any other resort to cash in on this amazing deal.
Brighton Patrol Rescue K-9 Program consists of five dog and handler teams. Rescue dogs are extensively trained in avalanche rescue, obedience, and mountain travel. B.A.R.K. was created to administer and finance the training, health and safety of our canine friends. Get your B.A.R.K. Shirt at Brighton Mountain Sports Today!
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The sun on your face, sand in your toes and a beach-side resort for free. Sounds dreamy, right? That's what awaits Ragnarians who register for Reebok Ragnar Hawaii before April 30, 2017.
Be one of the first 50 teams to register with promo code HI17MARRIOTT and we'll give you one free night at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa ($215 value).
Here's how it works:
Click the link below for more details. See you in paradise!
