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County Watch

Compiled by Patrick Parkinson

Detectives are investigating whether an ex-employee at the Swaner Nature Preserve stole $25,000 from the non-profit group in the Snyderville Basin.

The money was missing in June from payroll and vendor accounts at the Swaner Nature Preserve, Swaner officials say.

"Like all embezzlement cases, they are very fact intensive," Summit County Attorney David Brickey said.

Working with banks during investigations takes time, he said.

"It takes a little while just to verify and obtain search warrants and subpoenas," Brickey said.

Investigators and officials at Swaner haven’t released the name of the employee who was fired as a result of the accusations.

Bears sightings in Ashley forest

Until further notice, tent-camping at the Moon Lake and Brownie Lake campgrounds in the Ashley National Forest in the Uinta Mountains is prohibited due to several bear sightings near Flaming Gorge reservoir.

Hard-sided, structurally sound vehicles are required for sleeping overnight, Ashley National Forest Supervisor Kevin B. Elliott said.

"My concern is public safety and we are working closely with [the Division of Wildlife Resources] to monitor the situation," Elliott added in a press release.

Wildlife officers have set traps to catch the bears alive.

Contact the Ashley National Forest at (435) 781-5105 for more information about campground closures.

Tips for a safe summer

When it comes to keeping children safe during the summer, Utah ranks 39th in the nation. That’s according to the first-ever "Safe Kids U.S. Summer Safety Ranking Report," which measures the rate of accidental injury among children up to age 14. Vermont led the nation in summer safety with 1.6 child deaths per 100,000 people over a five-year period. Wyoming scored last with a rate of 8.3 deaths per 100,000 and Utah’s rate was 4.7 per 100,000, for a total of approximately 153 child deaths during the period. The study reports that nationally, an average of 17 children a day, or 2,143 children in total, died from May to August in 2004 due to injuries, many of which could have been prevented. Safe Kids Worldwide research indicates that the five most common causes of summertime child injury deaths are: drowning, biking, falls, passenger injuries in motor vehicles and pedestrian injuries.


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