Collin Leonard
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Articles by Collin Leonard
'We just started': Inside an Air Force lieutenant's surprise ascent to Olympic hopeful
PARK CITY — Pro-runner Sam Gilman is moving to Park City to train with the best through the Air Force's World Class Athlete Program, after erupting onto the professional scene this year. The former Air Force Academy athlete was "a pretty good college runner," Robert Johnson, founder of news site LetsRun, told KSL.com. And then, "all of a sudden, I mean it's crazy. He makes the worlds team, gaining on the world's greatest runner," Norweigian Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Salt Lake police report 33 felony, 49 misdemeanor arrests this month on Jordan River Trail
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake police say an operation to improve public safety along the Jordan River Trail is "outpacing initial expectations." City officials announced at the beginning of April that the popular trail would be closed indefinitely from Cottonwood Park (near 400 North) to 700 North over "a comprehensive initiative to address environmental degradation, infrastructure challenges and persistent public safety concerns" in the area.
Northrop Grumman says no solid rocket motors destroyed in Promontory explosion
PROMONTORY, Box Elder County — No solid rocket motors were lost or damaged in an explosion Wednesday in remote Promontory, a company spokesperson for Northrop Grumman told KSL.com Friday. A building was destroyed in an explosion and fire at the company's Promontory site at about 7:35 a.m. Wednesday, the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office reported. Northrop Grumman said the incident was "specific to just one building" used to produce an ingredient in solid rocket motor propellant.
Northrop Grumman says no solid rocket motors destroyed in Promontory Point explosion
PROMONTORY, Box Elder County — No solid rocket motors were lost or damaged in an explosion Wednesday in remote Promontory, a company spokesperson for Northrop Grumman told KSL.com Friday. A building was destroyed in an explosion and fire at the company's Promontory site at about 7:35 a.m. Wednesday, the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office reported. Northrop Grumman said the incident was "specific to just one building" used to produce an ingredient in solid rocket motor propellant.
'A publicity stunt': Delta moves to dismiss malicious prosecution suit from former pilot
SALT LAKE CITY — Delta representatives called the defamation suit lodged against them by a former pilot "a publicity stunt geared toward rehabilitating the reputation of a careless first officer who does not believe the rules apply to him." The airline filed a sealed motion in federal court to dismiss the case on March 28, according to a document obtained by KSL.com through a source who wished to remain anonymous.
Cedar City couple given decades in prison for selling 3 fentanyl pills that led to overdose death
ST. GEORGE — A Cedar City couple were both ordered to spend more than a decade in federal prison for delivering fentanyl to a woman who subsequently died of an overdose. John Parry, 40, and Kimberly Dawn Hare, 34, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl in November. Parry was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in prison, and Hare was sentenced to 12 years.
Murray woman killed in multivehicle crash
MURRAY — A Murray woman died Tuesday following a multivehicle crash at the intersection of 700 West and Winchester Street. She was identified Thursday as Ila J. Luke, 74. Her husband was injured in the crash and remained hospitalized Thursday, police said. The four-car crash happened just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, shutting down all directions of travel while crews worked to clear the scene, said Murray Police Lt. Jake Huggard.
30 years later: DNA evidence leads to charges in 1994, 1997 Ogden rapes
OGDEN — An administrative mistake led to criminal charges against Jerald Leroy McAdams, now 68, being dismissed over 20 years ago, police say. But now, "new evidence has come to light surrounding the conduct of McAdams" related to a reported rape in 1997 "and newly discovered DNA evidence from a 1994 crime with similar characteristics," according to a warrant unsealed last week. That warrant was served Tuesday, and McAdams was booked into Weber County Jail for charges in two separate cases.
Have You Seen This? Swedes livestream moose migration 24/7
SWEDEN — It may be impossible to predict what corner of the internet will catch fire with users in any given week. For the next month, it's the 24/7 livestream of moose meandering around northern Sweden. "For several thousand years the moose have walked the same path to get to the rich pastures of summer," the program description says.
Explosion destroys Northrop Grumman building on remote ‘Rocket Ranch’
Collin Leonard Wed, April 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM UTC 1 min read An explosion rocked the Northrop Grumman rocket testing facility in remote Promontory, around 32 miles west of Brigham City, according to Cade Palmer, from the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office. Palmer said the building is a total loss and was on fire Wednesday morning, but no injuries were reported. Crews were dispatched to the location, he said, where more information will be gathered.
Update: Pedestrian killed in Delta cargo area accident at Salt Lake airport, police say
Collin Leonard Wed, April 16, 2025 at 3:45 PM UTC 1 min read A delivery driver was killed Wednesday morning after being run over by a vehicle in the Delta cargo area at the Salt Lake City International Airport. Emergency dispatchers were notified of an industrial accident about 5:48 a.m. Wednesday, with officers from the airport division providing emergency first aid in the Delta cargo parking lot, according to a statement from Salt Lake police.
Explosion destroys Northrop Grumman building on remote 'Rocket Ranch'
Estimated read time: Less than a minute PROMONTORY, Box Elder County — An explosion rocked the Northrop Grumman rocket testing facility in remote Promontory, around 32 miles west of Brigham City, according to Cade Palmer, from the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office. Palmer said the building is a total loss, and was on fire Wednesday morning, but no injuries were reported. Crews were dispatched to the location, he said, where more information will be gathered.
Pedestrian killed in Delta cargo area accident at Salt Lake airport, police say
SALT LAKE CITY — A semitruck driver was killed Wednesday morning after being run over by a vehicle in the Delta cargo area at the Salt Lake City International Airport. Emergency dispatchers were notified of an industrial accident about 5:48 a.m. Wednesday, with officers from the airport division providing emergency first aid in the Delta cargo parking lot, according to a statement from Salt Lake police.
Man, 39, killed after crashing into stalled semi on dark stretch of I-15
SPRINGVILLE — A 39-year-old man was killed on Tuesday night after hitting the back of a stalled semitruck. Troopers were notified at around 10:13 p.m. of a semitruck with engine problems that was stalled in southbound traffic on I-15 near mile marker 262, close to the 1400 South exit in Springville, said Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Cam Roden.
1 killed in multivehicle crash in Murray
MURRAY — One person was killed Tuesday following a multivehicle crash at the intersection of 700 West and Winchester Street. The four-car crash happened just before 11 a.m., shutting down all directions of travel while responders worked to clear the scene, said Murray Police Lt. Jake Huggard. A woman was trapped in one of the cars, and firefighters were working to get her out, police said. The woman's medical condition was "not looking hopeful," according to Huggard.
Multi-vehicle crash in Murray leaves woman trapped in car, roads closed
MURRAY — A woman was trapped inside her vehicle Tuesday morning following a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of 700 West and Winchester Street. Murray Police Lt. Jake Huggard told KSL that the six-car crash happened just before 11 a.m., shutting down all directions of travel while responders worked to clear the scene. The woman who was trapped is possibly in her 60s, Huggard said, and firefighters were working to get her out.
Utah attorney general joins other states in attack on 'robocall ecosystem'
Nine phone service providers received threats of shutdown from a task force of state attorneys general, including Utah Attorney General Derek Brown, on Wednesday, for what the group terms the "robocall ecosystem" across the country. The Federal Communication Commission says its "top consumer complaint" is unwanted calls, numbering in the tens of thousands monthly. But artificial intelligence has pushed the limits on the robocalls that many experience.
Ogden recycling center owner charged with releasing pollutants into Weber River
OGDEN — David Rawson, the owner of construction material recycling business Recycled Earth, was charged Friday in 2nd District Court with two counts of unlawful discharge of pollutants, a third-degree felony, accusing him of pollution discharges into Ogden's waterways in 2022 and 2023.
Utah attorney general joins other states in attack on 'robocall ecosystem'
SALT LAKE CITY — Nine phone service providers received threats of shutdown from a task force of state attorneys general, including Utah Attorney General Derek Brown, on Wednesday, after allegedly what the group terms the "robocall ecosystem" across the country. The Federal Communication Commission says its "top consumer complaint" is unwanted calls, numbering in the tens of thousands monthly. But artificial intelligence has pushed the limits on the robocalls that many experience.
2 California lawsuits against Heber City police chief settled by former employer
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'Her voice is gone': Experts comment on Morgan suicide pact case testing a 2018 law
Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes KEY TAKEAWAYS Anthony Paul Franklin faces a manslaughter charge in the 2023 suicide death of his girlfriend. Legal experts debate a 2018 law's application expanding statute to include assisting in a suicide. The case raises questions about mental health support and the effectiveness of legal deterrence.
North Ogden police DUI training turned into 'drunken party,' newly obtained letter says
Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes KEY TAKEAWAYS A DUI training in North Ogden turned into a 'drunken party,' a letter claims. Eighteen participants criticized Police Chief Eynon's behavior, calling it embarrassing. Eynon faced disciplinary actions but was reinstated after an investigation into misconduct. NORTH OGDEN — A scathing letter sent to the North Ogden mayor and City Council appears to have spurred the internal investigation into the February DUI police training.
An acre of cars stacked 100 feet tall burns at Salt Lake recycling center
SALT LAKE CITY — A large fire at an industrial recycling facility in Salt Lake is going to be "a very long, drawn-out firefighting process," according to Salt Lake Fire Capt. Brandt Hancuff. Crews received a call at about 5 a.m. for a fire at Metro Group Inc.'s Salt Lake recycling center at 3050 W. 900 South. "A large amount" of cars waiting to be recycled, stacked on top of each other had ignited, Hancuff said.
An acre of cars, stacked 100 feet tall, catch fire at Salt Lake recycling center
A large fire at an industrial recycling facility in Salt Lake is going to be “a very long, drawn-out firefighting process,” according to Salt Lake Fire Capt. Brandt Hancuff. Crews received a call at about 5 a.m. for a fire at Metro Group Inc.’s Salt Lake recycling center at 3050 W. 900 South. “A large amount” of cars waiting to be recycled, stacked on top of each other had ignited, Hancuff said.
Family days at Hill Air Force Base rescinded
Apr 11, 2025, 9:40 AM | Updated: 9:40 am OGDEN — A service-wide announcement on Monday nixed a policy that previously allowed service members to take pass days, called family days, sometimes extending federal holidays to four-day weekends. In the past, family days have not counted against military members’ time-off allowances. The memo, from Acting Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Gary Ashworth, was posted on social media Tuesday, and authenticated for KSL.com by an Air Force spokesperson.
An acre of cars, stacked 100 feet tall, catch fire at Salt Lake recycling center
SALT LAKE CITY — A large fire at an industrial recycling facility in Salt Lake is going to be "a very long drawn out firefighting process," according to Salt Lake Fire Capt. Brandt Hancuff. Crews received a call at about 5 a.m. for a fire at Metro Group Inc.'s Salt Lake recycling center at 3050 W. 900 South. "A large amount" of cars waiting to be recycled, stacked on top of each other had ignited, Hancuff said.
Family days at Hill Air Force Base rescinded
OGDEN — A service-wide announcement on Monday nixed a policy that previously allowed service members to take pass days, called family days, sometimes extending federal holidays to four-day weekends. In the past, family days have not counted against military members' time-off allowances. The memo, from Acting Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Gary Ashworth, was posted on social media Tuesday, and authenticated for KSL.com by an Air Force spokesperson.
4 men face federal charges in Utah for failed Democratic Republic of the Congo coup Original
SALT LAKE CITY — Four Americans were charged Wednesday in federal court with coordinating the failed Democratic Republic of Congo coup last May, after their death sentences in that country were commuted last week. Prosecutors allege the four men in Utah "made operational and logistical plans to overthrow the DRC government," according to the complaint.
Weber State bets big on hypersonic research with MARS center upgrades
When driving through Clearfield on I-15, commuters may have noticed the orange USTAR Innovation Center building at Falcon Hill has received a purple Weber State University facelift. Orange is still very much a part of the building's focus - now it's just the orange glow of materials approaching the temperature of the sun as they hurtle through the air at hypersonic speeds, instead of the building's exterior color.
Weber State bets big on hypersonic research with MARS center upgrades
CLEARFIELD — When driving through Clearfield on I-15, commuters may have noticed the orange USTAR Innovation Center building at Falcon Hill has received a purple Weber State University facelift. Orange is still very much a part of the building's focus — now it's just the orange glow of materials approaching the temperature of the sun as they hurtle through the air at hypersonic speeds, instead of the building's exterior color.
4 arrested, 3 charged in Ogden gang-related armed robbery
OGDEN — Five people coordinated an armed robbery outside an Ogden residence on April 1, according to court documents, and "the group of suspects are strongly connected to multiple violent gang members." On that day, a man was "lured" to a duplex on Canyon Road by 29-year-old Lisette Parra Chavez, who told two men when she would arrive with the victim in his car, according to charging documents.
Morgan County man accused of killing girlfriend's dog for going to bathroom inside
ROY — Police responded to a domestic violence call on April 4 and found the victim's dog severely injured, later dying of injuries. The man, 27, of Milton, Morgan County, was charged Monday with aggravated cruelty to an animal, a class A misdemeanor, property damage, a class B misdemeanor, and intoxication, a class C misdemeanor.
Ogden Trece gang member sentenced to prison for random killing of 24-year-old in traffic
OGDEN — A 23-year-old with an extensive criminal history was sentenced to at least three decades in prison Friday for the random killing of Juan "JJ" Garcia Jr., shot at a red light during rush hour on Jan. 17, 2023. A jury found Mauro Juan Soto guilty in February of aggravated murder, a first-degree felony; obstructing justice, a second-degree felony; and nine counts of felony discharge of a firearm, a third-degree felony.
Nursing assistant sent to prison for sexual abuse of dementia patients
HEBER CITY — Jayden Parker Sever was sentenced Wednesday to at least five years and up to life in prison for sexually abusing two elderly dementia patients while working as a nursing assistant at the Spring Gardens Senior Living in Heber City. Sever, 20, pleaded guilty to attempted rape and object rape, first-degree felonies, in December. As part of a plea deal, the prosecutor agreed to recommend that his sentences run concurrently.
3 men arrested, charged in West Valley undercover drug sting
SALT LAKE CITY — Three Central and South American men were indicted Wednesday on federal charges after being arrested in an undercover drug sting in March. Diego Armando Campos-Fallas, 19, of Costa Rica; Hugo Eduardo Miraba-Franco, 20, of Ecuador; and Jose Enrique Zuniga-Diaz, 19, of, Honduras, are charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute. Campos-Fallas is charged with five counts of distribution of fentanyl, and Miraba-Franco is charged with two counts of the same.
Volunteers were 'severely impaired,' 2 sent to ER in North Ogden DUI police training
NORTH OGDEN — Two participants of a DUI training for police in February were taken to the emergency room, while others became "severely impaired," to the point they were not able to participate in the training, according to records obtained by KSL.com.
Police say another victim disclosed abuse by Roy man charged with sexual abuse of 10-year-old
OGDEN — A man currently in Weber County Jail, charged with the rape of a 10-year-old girl, is now being accused of sexual offenses against a 14-year-old girl. A 14-year-old girl came forward after learning Gilberto Moises Rivera, 20, was arrested in February, according to a police booking affidavit filed Wednesday. The girl "disclosed six separate occasions in which they had sex over the previous six months," the affidavit said.
7 women testify against ex-Salt Lake fire captain charged with abusing students
SALT LAKE CITY — Seven women took to the stand in a preliminary hearing for former Salt Lake Fire Capt. Christopher David Burk, who is accused of using emergency medical training classes as a pretext for the sexual abuse of his students.
Woman critically injured in west Salt Lake crash
SALT LAKE CITY — A woman in her 50s was hospitalized Tuesday with life-threatening injuries after being hit by a vehicle, according to Salt Lake police. Officers received a report at 5:38 a.m. "about a crash and someone on the ground injured," police said in a statement. Paramedics and firefighters responded to the scene near 4980 W. California Ave., transporting the woman to the hospital in critical condition.
Somali refugee forms soccer team for other Utah refugees
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Somali refugee forms soccer team for other Utah refugees
SALT LAKE CITY — As a refugee from Somalia, adjusting to life in Utah could be rocky at times for Abdi Iftin, who moved to Salt Lake City in 2005. “As a kid, you go through this quick transition, and your life changes,” he said. “School becomes very difficult for you because it’s hard for you to make friends. You have to learn a new language, a new lifestyle.” Playing soccer on the school playground during recess, though, made the difficulties seem to fade away.
Dueling demonstration groups converge on a Tesla dealership in South Salt Lake
Two different groups of demonstrators took to the sidewalk Saturday outside a Tesla dealership on State Street in South Salt Lake. Under a gray and windy sky, one group waived signs to the stream of passing cars, protesting Elon Musk's involvement in the new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, under President Donald Trump's second administration. The demonstration was part of a global "Tesla Takedown" taking place Saturday at many company locations.
Farmington man admits to embezzling over $1.7M from
SALT LAKE CITY — A Farmington man pleaded guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering earlier this month, just a week after being indicted. Timothy Sean Edgar, 44, admitted to siphoning around $1,778,251 from his employer between sometime in 2021 to October 2024. Court documents refer to the company as “MME,” and a LinkedIn profile for Edgar lists his employer as a small North Salt Lake paper company, My Mind’s Eye.
Officials celebrate flavored vape ban ruling, but it's complicated
SALT LAKE CITY — A federal judge upheld a ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarette products across the state on Monday. Some officials cheered the news, the ruling coming over a year after SB61, Electronic Cigarette Amendments, was passed in an attempt to combat minors’ use of vape products by banning their sale from retail tobacco specialty businesses.
Dueling demonstration groups converge on a Tesla dealership in South Salt Lake
SOUTH SALT LAKE — Two different groups of demonstrators took to the sidewalk Saturday outside a Tesla dealership on State Street in South Salt Lake. Under a gray and windy sky, one group waived signs to the stream of passing cars, protesting Elon Musk's involvement in the new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, under President Donald Trump's second administration. The demonstration was part of a global "Tesla Takedown" taking place Saturday at many company locations.
Sunset man charged with sexually abusing 2 kids at a daycare
SUNSET, Davis County — A 22-year-old was charged Thursday with sexually abusing two children at an in-house daycare in Sunset. Kaden Scott Lemmon, 22, faces two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony; one count of sexual abuse of a child, and two counts of obstructing justice, second-degree felonies.
Farmington man admits to embezzling over $1.7M from local paper business Original
SALT LAKE CITY — A Farmington man pleaded guilty to federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering earlier this month, just a week after being indicted. Timothy Sean Edgar, 44, admitted to siphoning around $1,778,251 from his employer between sometime in 2021 to October 2024. Court documents refer to the company as "MME," and a LinkedIn profile for Edgar lists his employer as a small North Salt Lake paper company, My Mind's Eye.
Sunset man charged with sexually abusing 2 kids at a daycare
SUNSET, Davis County — A 22-year-old was charged Thursday with sexually abusing two children at an in-house daycare in Sunset. Kaden Scott Lemmon, 22, faces two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony; one count of sexual abuse of a child, and two counts of obstructing justice, second-degree felonies.
Utah leaders 'disappointed' by Sundance's exit, consider new festival
SALT LAKE CITY — State and local leaders say they are "disappointed" in the Sundance Institute's decision Thursday to move the iconic Sundance Film Festival out of its original home. But they're already exploring what's next — which may include a rival film festival — as Sundance announced it is heading to Boulder, Colorado.
Sundance to leave Park City for Boulder, Colorado in 2027 Original
The Sundance Film Festival will be packing up and heading east to Colorado after over 40 years in Utah. The Sundance Institute announced Thursday that it will relocate the massive film festival to Boulder, Colorado, spitting away from the state it originated in. "Boulder is an art town, tech town, mountain town, and college town," Sundance Institute CEO Amanda Kelso said in a prepared statement. "It is a place where the Festival can build and flourish. ...
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