KDXU up to the minute news

19 year old South Jordan man accused of blackmailing young women

A 19-year-old from South Jordan is being accused of trying to blackmail young women to send him nude pictures of themselves.  Investigators say Gabe Gilbert threatened to edit the faces of several victims onto nude bodies and then share them, unless those victims sent actual nude pictures of themselves to him.

Skull Flat Wildfire 30% contained
The Skull Flat Wildfire about five miles east of Beaver is now 30 percent contained, according to fire officials. Firefighters have been battling the flames, initially caused by lightning, since June 18th. Little plumes of smoke were visible in the area as of Tuesday afternoon. The fire has torched more than 1500 acres.

Prominent LDS filmaker sentenced to six year in prison

A prominent Latter-day Saint filmmaker and co-founder of the Sundance Film Festival will spend at least six years in prison.  A judge sentenced 71-year-old Sterling Van Wagenen this morning after he pleaded guilty to two charges of sexually abusing a young girl.

Natural gas prices going up

Utahns could soon have to pay more for natural gas in their homes.  Dominion Energy is asking the state Public Service Commission for a 19-million-dollar general rate increase.  If approved, residents would have to pay about seven-percent more on their monthly gas bill.

U.S. Marshal Service in Utah warning of phone scam

The U.S. Marshal Service in Utah is warning residents about a phone scam involving their office.  According the marshals, the scammers spoof their office's phone number to trick victims into believing it is a legit call.  They then attempt to collect a fake fine.

Second plane crash claims two more lives

The second plane crash in Utah has claimed two more lives. Officials said Sanpete dispatch received a call reporting a downed plane about 4 miles northeast of Ephraim City. The two occupants of the aircraft, a male pilot and male passenger were found dead when the wreckage was discovered,

Cedar man admits to starting house fire

A Cedar City man admits to starting a fire in his mother's house in Nibley.  Christopher L. Lescoe appeared in court Monday and pleaded guilty to aggravated arson and violating a protective order.  Officials say Lescoe started the fire in March in an attempt to take his own life.  Deputies trying to negotiate with him saw him lighting the curtains on fire.

New DUI law having an impact

Utah's tougher DUI law is having an impact on the number of arrests on the road.  According to the Utah Highway Patrol, 49 people were charged in the first three months of this year for driving with a blood alcohol content between point-zero-five and point-zero-seven-nine.

McAdams joining effort to raise legal tobacco purchasing age

Democratic Congressman Ben McAdams is joining with other Utah lawmakers to raise the legal tobacco purchasing age to 21 nationwide.  McAdams is now a co-sponsor along with Republican Congressman Chris Stewart for the Tobacco to 21 Act. Senator Mitt Romney has introduced similar legislation in the Senate.

USU barred murder suspect in Lueck case

Utah State University barred the suspect accused of murdering MacKenzie Lueck from their campus.  USU banned Ayoola Ajayi in 2012 after he was arrested during a theft investigation.  Records show that Ajayi was identified as a Nigerian immigrant who had overstayed his visa.