Utah
Despite economic fears, holiday season expected to be busy for Utah storeowners
SALT LAKE CITY — As the calendar nears December, the National Retail Federation predicts holiday sales will surpass the one trillion dollar mark for the first time. But how does that add up when, at the same time, officials claim consumer confidence is in bad shape?
“This is kind of the disconnect that we’re seeing in the economy right now,” explained Zions Bank senior economist Robert Spendlove.
According to Spendlove, a trillion dollars in holiday sales would be a 4 percent increase over last year’s numbers. It would be an increase despite the federation sharing numbers that show consumer confidence hasn’t been this low in 50 years.
“That’s both at the national level and at our state level. And I hear this when I talk to people that they just don’t feel great about the economy, but they continue to spend,” said Spendlove.
That’s just the news Amanda Stewart wants to hear as owner of Mochi Kids in the 9th and 9th shopping district. Her store features a children’s clothing line, along with toys and gifts from all over the world.
“Holiday shopping is so crucial. We’ll sell probably, like, three times more during the holidays than we do during a normal month,” Stewart said.
Amanda has sensed the lack of confidence in the economy and seen an increase in wholesale prices due to tariffs, forcing her to make adjustments so she doesn’t price out her clientele.
“We’ve experienced probably about 10% price increase across the board compared to last year, and so we’ve definitely had to change how we buy,” Stewart said. “We purchased things that are a little less expensive, knowing that some people, you know, who are spending more on groceries will have less of a budget to spend on toys this year.”
Nonetheless, both the experts and those on the front lines, like Stewart, anticipate brisk sales once the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear later this month.
“Even though consumers don’t feel good about inflation, they don’t feel good about the government shutdown, they’re nervous about tariffs, we expect that in this holiday season, consumers will be spending about $890,” Spendlove said.
“It’s not surprising to me,” added Stewart. “I think people want to have a magical experience for their families, no matter what the economic circumstances are. I think that’s just part of our culture here in the U.S.”
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (KUTV) — A woman was killed in a crash after running a red light on Mountain View Corridor in West Valley City.
Police said the collision was reported just before 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of 4100 South.
Officers said a northbound tow truck entered the intersection on a green light when an eastbound SUV ran a red light and was T-boned.
Both vehicles reportedly caught fire after the impact.
The SUV driver was taken to a hospital, where she later died. Authorities are working to identify her.
The tow truck driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Northbound lanes at 4100 South will remain closed for several hours while crews clear the scene and investigate the crash.
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SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A little mid-level moisture will drift across Utah this weekend, but most areas will stay dry.
A few very isolated mountain showers are possible, mainly in the afternoons, but nothing widespread.
The big story is the heat. High pressure will build in, pushing temperatures 15–20 degrees above normal.
It will feel more like late spring, with many areas nearing or breaking March records, especially across central and southern Utah.
Overall, expect a warm, mostly dry weekend, with just a small chance for a quick mountain shower. Rain chances increase significantly later next week.
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Utah
Case dismissed for Wyoming man charged with allegedly kidnapping missing Utah girl – East Idaho News
POCATELLO — After a search for a missing Utah girl resulted in the arrest of a Wyoming man last November, a motion was accepted to dismiss the man’s case.
Anthony Holm of Star Valley, Wyoming, was originally charged on Nov. 17 with one felony count of second-degree kidnapping, but these charges were dismissed on March 17 during his preliminary hearing.
According to court documents, Bannock County Prosecutor Alan Boehme filed a motion to dismiss the case against Holm, as Utah will bring charges against him.
The motion was granted by Magistrate Judge Carol Tippi Jarman.
EastIdahoNews.com checked Utah court records, and no charges have been filed at the time of publication.
RELATED | Man arrested on kidnapping charges; missing Utah juvenile located safely
RELATED | Wyoming man charged with kidnapping thought teenager was 18, court documents say
The original incident occurred on Nov. 14, when Bannock County Sheriff’s deputies were contacted by the Box Elder County Sheriff’s Office in Utah, which requested assistance in locating a missing juvenile.
The juvenile was believed to be with Holm, who was driving a 2024 Ford Bronco, and was suspected to be in the Lava Hot Springs area.
Court documents state that the vehicle was spotted at a hotel in Lava Hot Springs; however, the license plate did not match the reported one. Bannock County Dispatch reported that the vehicle belonged to Holm, and later confirmed that he was staying at the hotel.
Deputies spoke with Holm and the 16-year-old girl outside of a hotel room.
When asked by deputies how he knew the girl, he said they met on the app Ashley Madison the day before, and that the girl told him she was 18.
RELATED | Ashley Madison isn’t the only place to cheat. Infidelity thrives on social media
Deputies spoke with the 16-year-old, who confirmed that she had told Holm she was 18, but did not want the man to go to jail. She later told deputies the plan was for them to stay in Lava Hot Springs to swim and spend the night there.
Documents state that in Willard, Utah, Holm had picked up the juvenile and traveled to Salt Lake City, where the two stayed at a hotel, before traveling to Idaho.
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