SALT LAKE CITY -- The trial for Heinz Josef Bruhl, 34, the man accused of setting the fire that destroyed the mountainside east of Farmington in 2003, has been cancelled to allow more time to restore his mental competency. Last Thursday, U.S. District Court Judge David K. Winder cancelled the trial and sent Bruhl back to the Federal Medical Center in Butner, N. C. to continue psychiatric treatment. Bruhl, who was homeless at the time, told police he had started the fire because he wanted to be arrested to have a place to live.

The fire, set July 10, 2003, destroyed about 2,000 acres of land, mostly belonging to the U.S. Forest Service, and cost some $1.5 million to fight. At one point the fire was considered the worst in the nation because of its proximity to Farmington.



Farmington plugs hunting loophole

FARMINGTON -- It's illegal to discharge a firearm within the city limits of Farmington City. But, up until Wednesday, April 20, you could still hunt there.

Members of the Farmington City Council discovered at that time the city's ordinance prohibiting hunting was not altogether on the up-and-up.

That's because the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) must approve any ordinance a city passes restricting hunting.

According to city manager Max Forbush, the DWR is the wildlife authority for the state vested with the "functions, powers and duties" over hunting. Cities may close areas to hunting for safety reasons, but only after confirmation by the Wildlife Board.

A draft of a proposed ordinance has been drawn up by the city attorney for presentation to the Wildlife Board. Forbush asked permission to pass it along. He was given a resounding "go ahead" by council members.