Latest news with #Payson
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Yahoo
Payson man allegedly sexually abused 14-year-old in church parking lot
This report includes discussion of sexual assault and/or rape. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Rape & Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1-888-421-1100. PAYSON, Utah () — A 20-year-old man is facing charges involving the alleged sexual abuse of a 14-year-old in 2023. Alex Leonard Saunders, 20, has been charged with two counts of forcible sexual abuse and one count of object rape. According to documents, on July 2, 2023, Saunders was in communication with a 14-year-old girl on Snapchat. Saunders and the juvenile victim made plans to spend time together, and the 14-year-old clarified that she just wanted to spend time with him and 'didn't want anything sexual to happen.' Saunders agreed with this plan and picked up the 14-year-old victim from her home. She asked if he wanted to go to the sports park, but he responded that 'people didn't like him there' and instead allegedly took the underage victim to a church parking lot. When they parked, Saunders told the 14-year-old that they were just going to sit and talk in his car. The juvenile victim told police that soon after arriving, Saunders began touching her inappropriately. READ NEXT: 19-year-old exchanged sexual photos, met with minor in Garland, charges say The 14-year-old victim told Saunders she didn't want to do anything, to which he allegedly replied, 'It's fine, you're safe with me.' The underage girl reiterated that she did not consent and told him she did not want to do anything with him and tried to pull him away from her. Saunders continued touching the 14-year-old inappropriately despite her trying to stop him. The juvenile victim told police that he eventually stopped touching her, but then began asking her to perform sexual acts on him. He asked her twice to do something to him, but she refused and told him she wanted to go home. Despite her refusals, Saunders allegedly forced the underage girl to perform a sexual act on him. Saunders was previously booked into the Utah County Jail for another rape and sexual abuse case that left that victim with several injuries. He has been in custody since November 2024, and is being held without bail. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. How to watch the NASCAR visit to California wine country Polestar 3 challenges industry with transparency NEW START: Wildfire in San Juan County, structures threatened and residents evacuating Payson man allegedly sexually abused 14-year-old in church parking lot Democrats push for school funding Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Heading back from a trip up north? Southbound SR 87 closed due to a brush fire near Payson
Drivers heading back home from a weekend up north should be aware of a road closure on southbound State Route 87 south of Payson. The roadway was blocked at milepost 242 due to a brush fire, according to a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, from the Arizona Department of Transportation. There is no estimated time for the road to reopen, ADOT said. Tonto National Forest fire crews were working on the brush fire with no state resources available at the moment, according to Tiffany Davila with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. Motorists can check the AZ511 app or call 511 to see real-time highway conditions. This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Traffic alert: Brush fire closes southbound SR 87 south of Payson
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What we know about an avid 74-year-old hiker found dead on popular Payson trail
Police are investigating the death of a 74-year-old man who was found unresponsive on a popular hiking trail in Payson. On the afternoon of May 28, the Payson Police Department said it received reports of a man who did not return from a hike on the Boulder Loop Trail. An easily accessible trail near the southern edge of Payson, the Boulder Loop Trail draws hikers who want to see unique rock formations found along the path. Here's what we know about reported circumstances around the man's death and a warning given from authorities. Police said it was unusual for the 74-year-old man, described as an avid and well-prepared hiker, not to return from a trip, prompting someone to report him missing. He was known for bringing ample food and water on his hikes, making his disappearance especially concerning. Only a few hours after his disappearance was reported, authorities received a call from a hiker who found the man dead near the trail. An initial investigation revealed no signs of foul play and pointed to heat-related illness as a possible factor in the man's death, police said. "The death is believed to be from natural causes," the Payson Police Department said in a statement. The man, who remained unidentified, was transported to the Pinal County Medical Examiner's Office, where an investigation would continue. Police warned that cooler temperatures forecast for northern Arizona could prove deceptive and said hikers should take steps to prevent extreme weather from enabling a tragedy. "Temperatures in rim country can be very hot or very cold," the Payson Police Department wrote in a statement. The department recommended that those headed to the area should dress appropriately for the weather, bring plenty of food, water and electrolytes. The National Park Service said because of the heat, hikers should remain on trails within their ability and rest regularly. The National Park Service advised that people avoid hiking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the summer months to avoid the worst of the heat. People were advised to drink at least one quart of water per hour of hiking and to pre-hydrate before hitting the trails. While hiker deaths on Arizona's many trails are not uncommon, they are typically the result of noncriminal factors. Most recently on May 22, another experienced hiker, Hannah Moody, 31, was found dead after she went missing on a north Phoenix-area hiking trail. Her death remains under investigation. 'She loved hard': Family, friends reflect on Hannah Moody's death while hiking On May 15, Dennis Smith, 74, visiting Arizona from Washington, died on the Grand Canyon's North Kaibab Trail. Bystanders and park service personnel could not resuscitate Smith at the scene. Days earlier, Noah Farabaugh, 33, died after he was part of a group of five hikers experiencing heat issues near the Wave Cave trailhead in the Superstition Mountains near Mesa. 'He knew what he was doing': Hiker's death in Superstition Mountains shocked family Summer 2024 saw eight Grand Canyon trekkers die while hiking different areas of the national park. Four of them were over the age of 55. In early September, a 71-year-old man was pulled from the Colorado River following a boating incident. Just days earlier, a 59-year-old also died in the river. In late August, two hikers — one 60 and the other 80 — died in separate incidents. Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@ Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Avid 74-year-old hiker found dead on popular Payson trail
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
WorkMax in the World: Live Event With Allen Yoho Electrical
PAYSON, UTAH / ACCESS Newswire / May 23, 2025 / WorkMax, a leading provider of mobile workforce management solutions for the construction industry, will host a live webinar featuring the real-world implementation experiences of Allen Yoho Electrical Inc. The free educational event, 'WorkMax in The World: A Client's Experience,' will take place on Thursday, May 29th, 2025, at 2 PM EDT. This practical session will feature an in-depth conversation with Mel Lemon, Chief Financial Officer of Allen Yoho Electrical Inc., and Ron Craft, Regional Sales Manager at WorkMax. Together, they will explore how Allen Yoho Electrical has transformed their field operations using WorkMax's mobile app technology. 'Contractors are often skeptical about how software solutions actually perform in real-world field conditions,' said Craft. 'This webinar provides an unfiltered look at implementation challenges, daily usage scenarios and tangible benefits directly from a client who's experiencing them firsthand.' The event is designed for general and specialty contractors, construction financial managers, operations directors, project managers and business owners seeking practical insights into selecting and using time tracking solutions. Registration is now open and free, but space is limited. Participants will receive access to the recorded session and additional resources following the event. To register, visit WorkMax WorkMax is a leader in mobile resource management for construction. A best-in-class time-tracking solution, WorkMax utilizes cutting-edge features like geofencing and facial recognition to maximize accuracy and eliminate buddy punching. For more information, visit Allen Yoho Electrical Inc. Allen Yoho Electrical Inc. is a full-service electrical contractor specializing in commercial and industrial electrical installations and services. To see where they service, check out their website Contact Information Tracie Kuczkowski VP of Marketing [email protected] (800) 246-8000 x 7933 Samantha Ann Illius Marketing Relations Coordinator and Influence Specialist [email protected] (800) 811-5926 x 4823 SOURCE: WorkMax press release
New York Times
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Tyler Batty, a rookie DL for the Vikings and son of a cowboy, is easy to root for
How many horses does Layne Batty own? It's a question he doesn't want to answer. He has nothing to hide. It's just that if he were to say the number out loud, his wife, Peg, might cut him off from buying and raising more. Layne is a cowboy in every sense of the word. A white hat, stitched beautifully, usually sits atop his head. He wears a bandana-like scarf around his neck. The rest of his body is covered in different shades of denim. Holding his jeans up is a brown belt with a massive oval buckle. Advertisement He developed a passion for horses at an early age. His neighbors and extended family owned horses — that was his introduction to the animal. His relationship with them felt personal. By the time he was 11, he was training them on his own. 'He was just a boy,' Peg said. Layne, who now operates Circle B Farm in Payson, Utah, introduced his seven children, three sons and four daughters, to horses. He taught them all how to ride. They helped feed the family's stable, cleaned the horses' living spaces and even learned how to irrigate the pasture to give the horses the best living conditions possible. Yet when it came time for Layne and Peg's kids to find their purpose, none followed in their father's footsteps, at least to the same degree. They didn't dedicate their lives to the same small corner of the universe, though they did pursue their own little worlds with a similar fervor. This brings us to their youngest son, Tyler, who has wanted to wear helmets and hit other humans for as long as Layne and Peg can remember. They can't explain it. The family barely watched football during Tyler's youth, but they had a boy who talked about playing in the National Football League. The wildest part? That boy somehow became good enough to do precisely that. Tyler Batty, an undrafted free-agent signing by the Vikings, is here in Minnesota, wearing purple and gold, taking nothing for granted. It takes some digging to learn why he has a solid chance at earning a roster spot. It also takes some digging to know why the defensive end might be an easy rookie to root for. A post shared by BYUtv Sports Nation (@byutvsportsnation) One morning when Tyler was 14, he navigated a four-wheeler toward his house from the pasture about a half-mile down the road. He had finished one of his daily chores, changing the water to irrigate hay for the horses. Tyler eyed the bright orange sun, which was starting to peak over the mountains. That's the last thing he can remember. Advertisement He didn't return to the house at his usual time, and eventually, Peg got worried. Shortly thereafter, a sheriff knocked on the door with a look on his face that screamed problems. 'Your boy has been injured,' the officer said, 'and he won't let anybody get anywhere near him. Would you please come?' Tyler had crashed his four-wheeler and fallen through barbed wire into an embankment. His head was bleeding from a collision with a wooden post. Steel had sliced his shoulders. Had it not been for an early-morning jogger who noticed Tyler pushing the four-wheeler back up toward the road, who knows? Peg's arrival set in motion what would become a blur. A Life Flight helicopter airlifted Tyler to a hospital in Salt Lake City about 60 miles away, where doctors diagnosed him with six facial fractures and a brain bleed. His left eye, discolored almost to a shade of purple, was practically triple the size of his right eye. The family needed a miracle for the internal bleeding to stop, and to this day, neither Layne nor Peg can fully explain how it did. The recovery required another layer of fortitude. Doctors informed Tyler that he shouldn't play football anymore, but he didn't listen. He couldn't listen. Love is blinding, and Tyler loved nothing more than this silly little game. He loved the camaraderie, the competition, the challenge. He loved how much you could learn and how quickly you could respond to failure. He reiterated to his parents that he would play again and not allow this accident to derail his dreams. Peg battled him over his hard-headedness. She feared what a concussion might do and knew his intelligence was set up for a successful college education and career. Yet Tyler wouldn't waver. Football, he maintained, is what he was meant to do. As a sophomore, he posted his highlights to a Hudl account and promoted himself as a prospect. He attended prospect camps at places like Dartmouth and approached basic hand-placement drills like he was training for a title fight with Mike Tyson. Advertisement Nearby BYU noticed the rugged and driven defender just 15 miles south of campus. The Cougars ignited the full-on recruiting pitch, once even sending former Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer to the Batty household for breakfast. Initially, Tyler wanted to attend a bigger school where he could be more visible to NFL scouts. He stayed close to a big family that knew better than anyone the source of his motivation. 'His determination,' Peg said, 'determined the outcome.' BYU's coaching staff was bored during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistant coach Ed Lamb and defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki knew Tyler's family operated a farm down the road, so they asked if they could spend some time learning about ranch life. Layne extended an invitation. One afternoon, they were chomping on sandwiches in the shade. Layne explained that they offer horse rides throughout the week. One of them, Layne said, targeted special-needs children. Lamb mentioned that his son, Edward, had been born with severe autism and was nonverbal. Layne interjected. 'Horses will help him,' he told Lamb. 'The horse world will help him.' More than a decade earlier, Layne had met a neighbor who had moved to Payson from Scotland. They discussed horses, and the neighbor asked Layne if he'd heard of equine therapy. The neighbor shared that clinical studies had proven that exposure to horses benefited patients with autism and psychomotor disorders. Layne researched the studies himself, reconnected with the neighbor and invited his 3-year-old son to come ride. The boy learned more words as the years passed and spoke more successfully. Layne relayed the story to Lamb, who, the following week, took Layne up on the opportunity to get his son, Edward, involved. Edward enjoyed it immediately. He squealed. His arms and hands shot to the sky. Layne suggested Edward ride again the following week, and over time, as the Lamb family regularly made its way to the Batty farm, Edward started to point out the correct directions. Advertisement 'That opened up a whole new world for me and my son,' Ed said. 'It changed our lives.' When Lamb left BYU to become the head coach at Northern Colorado in 2023, his family bought a couple of horses. By then, Tyler had become the rock of the Cougars program. He painted smiley faces beneath his eyes before games, then sideswiped offensive linemen on the way to the quarterback. He was a ferocious pass rusher. He dropped and secured interceptions. Coaches asked him to line up over the center. He obliged. Then they positioned him over the guard. Tyler made that work, too. During a 2023 matchup against Cincinnati, defensive line coach Kelly Poppinga poked at Tyler, who took personally a comment about how well the opposing quarterback was playing. Tyler sacked him once and made seven tackles in a 35-27 win. During a nationally televised game against Kansas State in 2024, Tyler forced a fumble, intercepted a pass and pressured the quarterback on three straight possessions. His performance set a tone. His play style and personality earned him a platform. Tyler elected to use his for good. In tandem with his father, and with the blessing of his former coach, Tyler created a nonprofit called 'Edward's Hands.' The name itself tells you almost everything you need to know about who he is and how he thinks. 'Edward's Hands' worked as a double entendre. Ranch hands are folks like his father, who have committed their life to hard work. And, oftentimes, autistic children flap their hands when they feel genuine excitement. A post shared by Tyler Batty (@tyler_batty) The family gathered in the backyard a few weekends ago for the NFL Draft. It was a day Tyler had dreamed of for years. At long last, and against all odds, he was bound for the NFL. Smiles faded as the hours passed. Peg paced and went inside. One of Tyler's siblings came running, saying that Tyler had just answered a phone call. She'd peek outside, only to find that it was his agent calling, informing him that nothing seemed imminent. Advertisement The fourth round went, then the fifth, then the sixth. Nobody understood why his name remained on the board. He produced in college. He nailed all of the measurables and testing exercises at the NFL Scouting Combine. Poppinga told NFL general managers that Tyler was 'probably the toughest kid I've coached in 17 years.' Despite Tyler's high character and self-driven profile, 257 players were picked ahead of him. He remained an undrafted free agent for approximately 30 seconds. Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and the team's personnel department had identified him as a versatile player who would squeeze every droplet of potential out of his career. The Vikings quickly made the call, and finally, as the sun fell behind the mountains and the pasture was tinged with bright pink, the family celebrated. 'It all turned out good,' Layne says. 'Tyler told us that in one of the first meetings, the (Vikings) coaches said, 'Every position is open. It's yours for the taking. Who wants it? Who wants it the most?'' The parents admit their bias, but even for an outside observer, it's easy to think Tyler has a great shot. This is a guy who used to wake up ahead of his alarm for before-school weightlifting. It's a dude who once brought his mother a grocery list of healthy items to buy so he could prepare his body. It's a father's son who has known what he's loved for as long as he can remember. Tyler was just a boy.
