Top 5 weekend stories on St. George News

Still photo captured from surveillance camera shows suspect taking packages from porch in South Washington Fields, Washington City, Utah, Dec. 10, 2021 | Photo courtesy of the Washington City Police Department, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — In case you missed it, here is your weekend recap of the top five most viewed stories published on St. George News from Saturday to Sunday, Dec. 11-12.

See the related stories at the bottom of this page for five honorable mention stories.


Porch pirate hits home in Washington Fields: ‘Tis the season for package thefts 

Still photo captured from surveillance camera shows suspect taking packages from porch in South Washington Fields, Washington City, Utah, Dec. 10, 2021 | Photo courtesy of the Washington City Police Department, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Authorities are requesting the public’s help to identify the suspect who reportedly took packages from the front porch of a residence in Washington City several nights ago – a crime that is on the rise due to the influx of online shopping for the holidays.

Read complete story here.


In Cedar City cold case involving retested DNA, jury convicts man of raping 13-year-old girl

Composite image. Background shows 5th District Courthouse, Cedar City, Utah, April 15, 2021. Inset photo shows Shawn Michael Smith during a pretrial conference, November 2021 | Background photo by Jeff Richards, inset image screenshot courtesy of 5th District Court, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY — A Cedar City man has been convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl more than 18 years ago.

Shawn Michael Smith, 42, was found guilty by a jury Thursday night, following a two-day trial. The eight-member jury deliberated for approximately two hours before returning to the courtroom and delivering the verdict to 5th District Judge Matthew L. Bell.

Read complete story here.


Suspect sentenced to Washington County jail after nearly 20 pounds of meth found in speaker box

File photo of seventeen packages of suspected methamphetamine seized by officers during traffic stop in Washington City, Utah, June 19, 2021 | Photo courtesy of the Washington City Police Department, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — A 5th District Court judge sentenced 28-year-old Rodrigo Rojas-Ibarra to serve time in county jail, following a 19-pound methamphetamine seizure in June.

Read complete story here.


In face of economic recovery, pilot shortage, St. George Regional Airport to receive federal grant

A scene from St. George Regional Airport, St. George, Utah, Dec. 10, 2021 | Photo by David Dudley, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The St. George Regional Airport is set to receive $1.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from the federal government.

“The grant is meant to help with costs associated with operations, maintenance and debt repayment,” said Rich Stehmeier, manager of St. George Regional Airport.

Read complete story here.


Utah’s population increased by over 70K this year: meet three of your new neighbors

ST. GEORGE — It’s no secret that throngs of people are migrating to Utah.

According to a new study done by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, an estimated 71,936 new residents have moved to Utah since the 2020 Census. Iron County recorded the fastest rate of growth at 6.2%, adding 3,574 new residents. Washington County’s 4% growth rate was the third fastest in the state, adding 7,321 new residents.

Read complete story here.


The top five honorable mention stories can be found in the related stories below.

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