Commissioner Jim Harvey expressed concern about potential cost to the county beyond the scope of the development, known as the Lomond View master planned community (formerly Terakee the River), and the project’s proximity to an oxbow adjacent to the Weber River. The adjacent parcel is not owned by the applicant, Heritage Land Holdings LLC, but the former owner of the project area, Terakee Properties LP.

The commission approved the final reading of an ordinance increasing some fees at the Weber County Transfer Station. Beginning July 1, the county will pay Republic Services $35.79 per ton — an increase of $1.57 — for the transfer and disposal of solid waste. As a result, the general waste and construction/demolition tipping fees the station charges will rise from $50.00 to $52.24 per ton.

Additionally, the fee for mattresses in excess of the first two will increase from $5 to $15 per mattress. The first two mattresses are included in the tipping fee, but each additional mattress will be charged at the new rate.

Finally, the commission approved the first reading of an ordinance increasing county sewer fees for residents living within the unincorporated area of the Central Weber Sewer Improvement District. That rate will increase from $12.95 to $14.45 (plus the amount of the Central Weber Sewer Improvement District service fee).

— Ryan Aston, Standard-Examiner

Ogden man arrested on suspicion of sexual exploitation of multiple minors

OGDEN — A 52-year-old military serviceman living in Ogden was arrested June 13 on suspicion of multiple counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Sean Allen Loveridge disclosed during a job test and security clearance process that he had committed sexual offenses.

Per the arrest document, an Ogden City police officer later interviewed Loveridge about the alleged incidents. During the interview, Loveridge reportedly admitted to sexually assaulting at least four young children and also to previously accessing child sexual abuse material.

Police were later given access to an external hard drive belonging to Loveridge, according to the affidavit. After a search warrant was obtained, “hundreds of screenshots of young girls on Instagram in the age bracket of about 6-13” were found on the device.

It was noted in the arrest document that some of the alleged sexual assaults occurred while Loveridge was serving in Maryland; those incidents are reportedly being investigated by the military.

Loveridge was charged in Ogden’s 2nd District Court with seven second-degree felony counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and is currently being held without bail at the Weber County Jail.

— Ryan Aston, Standard-Examiner

Gov. Cox names Beau Mason commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety

Gov. Cox today announced the appointment of Beau Mason as Commissioner of the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS), effective July 17, 2025. Mason will assume the role the day after Commissioner Jess Anderson retires on July 16 following nearly three decades of distinguished service to the state.

“Beau has spent more than 20 years keeping Utahns safe,” Gov. Cox said. “He knows every corner of DPS and has earned the trust of everyone who wears the badge. I’m excited to see where he takes the department.”

Since 2023, Mason has served as Deputy Commissioner, overseeing the Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), State Bureau of Investigations (SBI), Statewide Information and Analysis Center (SIAC), Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), and the Division of State Security. Prior to his executive role, Mason rose through the ranks of the Utah Highway Patrol from trooper to major directing field operations, the Special Emergency Response Team, Executive Protection, Motors, and the Aero Bureau.

— Office of Governor Spencer Cox

DABS launches new training for servers and bartenders to prevent alcohol over-service

The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services teamed up with restaurant industry partners and Utah’s Department of Public Safety on Thursday to launch a new training video for the thousands of alcohol servers and bartenders throughout the state. The message is clear: servers and bartenders play an important role in preventing the dangers that can come from customers’ drinking too much.

“Even one Utahn getting injured or killed due to impaired driving is one too many. Those working in Utah’s service industry play an important role by being alert and aware of when to cut someone off from ordering another drink,” said Tiffany Clason, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services Executive Director. “That smart thinking can both save lives and prevent fines and penalties for businesses and employees.”

Clason says all owners, managers, and workers who serve alcohol are encouraged to watch the free, optional training video on preventing alcohol over-service. It can be found on the DABS website at abs.utah.gov/licenses-permits/training (direct YouTube link here). The video reviews behaviors that servers and bartenders can watch for, tips for navigating the tricky moments with customers, and the legal consequences for businesses and servers when alcohol over-service is proven.

The free, optional training video was developed at no cost to the DABS thanks to grant funding provided by the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association (NABCA), says Clason. The DABS applied for the grant to reduce the number of alcohol sales to intoxicated customers and to inform and educate about the harmful impacts of alcohol over-service incidents on the public.

— Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services