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Sex crime victims rejoice after ‘Lonnie’s Law’ enacted

PROVO — Victims of sex crimes are celebrating a law Governor Herbert recently signed. The law closes a loophole for pedophiles who are considered incompetent to stand trial.

House Bill 14 was inspired by the Lonnie Johnson case. Johnson is accused of sexually assaulting two relatives but is incompetent to stand trial. Last year, doctors ruled he was not a physical danger to society so the judge had to release him.

But now that the new law has passed, that may be a thing of the past.

Nicknamed “Lonnie’s Law,” it was a tool attorneys used to defend accused perpetrators of sex crimes. Instead of going to prison, because of doctors would determine some as incompetent, they would be committed to a state hospital.

The mother of one of the alleged victims in the Lonnie Johnson case learned for the first time Wednesday that this law passed.

Survey: 9 percent of Utah Co. teens abuse inhalants

9 percent of Utah County 8th graders admit to abusing inhalants.

In a recent school-based survey, 9 percent of students reportedly intentionally abused or huffed dangerous chemicals to get high. Nationally, that number is 13 percent.

Products like air-conditioning refrigerant, wite-out, spraypaint and cooking sprays are used by young adults to get high. Inhalants can lead to death from Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome.

Free infant classes: 'Happiest Baby on the Block'

This is a news release from the Utah County WIC program.

The Utah County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is sponsoring a free parent class called "Happiest Baby on the Block" on Wednesday, March 14th from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Utah County Health and Justice Building (151 S. University Ave, Provo). 

Parents will learn foolproof methods to soothe fussy babies. The class is free and you don't need to be a WIC client to participate.  Please feel free to bring your baby with you. 

For questions, please call 801-851-7312.

Whooping cough infections up in Utah Co.

Whooping cough is making a comeback in Utah County; health officials say they now have the highest rate of whooping cough they've seen in the last five years.

There are more than 155 confirmed cases right now, up 38 from last year, according to the health department.

The health department recommends that teens and adults receive a booster shot every ten years.

FREE ARTHRITIS CLASS

Press Release from The Utah County Health Department:

     The Utah County Health Department (UCHD) will be offering a free class based the on Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program starting on Monday, October 17th.

Utah County to offer flu shots at clinics

PROVO, Utah (AP) -- The Utah County Health Department says it is now offering seasonal flu shots at all of the county's immunization clinics.

The shots cost $24 if paid at the time of service. The department also accepts many health insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare for flu vaccinations.

The Provo office is open Monday through Friday, and shots are available without an appointment. Appointments are necessary in American Fork and Payson.

For additional details, the health department says residents should visit its website at www.UtahCountyHealth.org/flushots or call 801-851-7025.

Santaquin water testing results for June 22

This is a news release from Santaquin City.

Santaquin City tests its water in full compliance with Utah State Standards which requires that our water is tested monthly with samples taken from eight random locations.

Four of our most recent water samples, pulled during the month of June, were obtained on June 2,2011 and the remaining four samples were obtained on June 9, 2011. All eight samples tested indicate that E. Coli and Coliform were marked "absent" which indicates that our water meets State standards.

Santaquin City received a phone call on the afternoon of June 21 from Carolyn Harris of 437 East 560 South in which she stated that she thought the City's water contained E. Coli.