Thirty women added to RAD class in fall

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

Thirty more women will be added to an additional RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) class starting this fall due to a completely full waitlist. 

The class is offered through Utah State University and only women can receive credit or take the course. Five officers from Utah State University Police Department teach the course. 

"I would highly recommend it," said Officer Jason Ostermiller, one of the teachers. "We get through 100 scenarios in two hours and it really increases confidence in women."

Students in the class will learn different strike areas and legal rights. Videos of techniques will be shown and then they learn at a gym how to efficiently punch and kick their attacker to get away.  

"It really brings the whole class together. Every girl is cheering on her classmate by the end of it," Ostermiller said. 

With sexual assault cases, drugs and alcohol almost always are involved in the reports. 

"Alcohol and Tinder is a terrible mix. We see girls who just ended a relationship, got drunk with her girlfriends and then wanted to find a guy that night," said Officer Erik Christensen. "We saw it two weeks ago where, luckily, her friends interceded and literally carried her out of that guy's house." 

The class will be offered twice a week, for an hour a day. 

Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity wins best risk management

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

Students were in shock once Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity was nominated and won the title of best risk management among Greeks at Utah State University. 

"It is great to know that the rules and regulations we've put in place are working as intended, and that we are holding each other accountable," said Ian Franklin, Pi Kappa Alpha chapter president. 

With suspensions in 2012 and 2015, prohibiting them from alcohol in the house, the fraternity was granted permission to allow it again this year. The fraternity has been caught with alcohol as much as a newborn has with milk.

"I personally didn't expect them to beat who they were up against, but I'm still impressed they've improved and glad they got an award," said Allison Kelley, a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. 

Alpha Chi Omega, Sigma Chi and Delta Sigma Phi all received nominations for the award. More beer with a bitter palate will be consumed among the fraternities. 

"I am very pleased that they received the award because they have shown great improvement. It might assist in bettering Kappa Delta's relationship with Pi Kappa Alpha moving forward," said Abigail Lathem, Kappa Delta chapter president. 

The award could potentially sting the hearts of the victims who have been affected by the wrongdoings of the fraternity members in previous years. 

Different form of Spice leads officers worried

By Sophia Blankmeyer

After an overdose death, Spice, has been found in a different form than before in Cache County. Officers are worried the different form of the harmful drug is potentially more dangerous.

"I have seen different forms of spice throughout my time here," said Sgt. Shand Nazer, an officer at the Logan City Police Department. "But I have never seen it as a liquid form of the chemical, and it is beyond dangerous."

The man had ordered the chemical online from a company in China. While driving home with his girlfriend, he decided to smoke the chemical which immediately left him unconscious. Instead of calling and getting help, she drove him 30 minutes to the nearest hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"It makes people too sick, and we saw a ton of overdose deaths," Sgt. Jason Olsen said. "Spice is more dangerous because it is man-made. Spice overdoses always results in medical attention."

Cache County has only seen spice in its most commonly known shredded form.

Mental Health Screenings officially combined for years to come

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

After a successful week, the screening for alcohol, depression and anxiety will combine together for the coming years for students at Utah State University.

The decision to combine the screenings was made on April 14. Previously, the screenings have been during different semesters. The three individual screenings were never combined before, and never included on-site counselors. 

“We want a general mental health screening for both semesters from now on,” said Ryan Barfuss, a prevention specialist at USU. 

The screening was held at the Taggart Student Center on April 5. The testing lasted four hours and students were able to go for themselves or support others.

"I went to the event and it was really helpful because I suffer from depression and anxiety," said Anna Godfrey, a student at Utah State. "I think if they did it every year and advertised better, it would help more students."

The screenings were taking place at the same time as the Hope wall, just right outside the TSC. Students took polaroid pictures and wrote who made them hopeful. 

"I saw way more advertising towards the hope wall than the screenings. I think the screenings are far more important than a picture on a board for a day," Kaylee Hansen, a student, said.

The screenings will continue and will be combined for the next consecutive 4 years, until further notice.

"I'm excited to see where this goes," said Sarah Price, a freshman. "I am hopeful it will pick up and as a senior I can say I was involved every year."

"This is incredible news moving forward for USU students," said Ryker Moore, a student. "Everyone deserves an opportunity to be treated for the things they struggle most with." 

Eleven search warrants in Cache County

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

Logan City Police Sgt. Shand Nazer sat down at the weekly meeting he has been attending for more than 14 years. As other drug-task force officers took their places, he sat there knowing the task would not be able to be completed for the week. They began planning out their week and he broke the news. 

Eleven search warrants were approved this week for Cache County. 

“We need more officers available for the warrants,” Sgt. Nazer said. “We rarely see more than one per week.”

Since the beginning of the year, one search warrant a week was common. The local judges would determine if the investigation needed to run longer or if there was enough probable cause that would result in a search warrant. 

“With the weather getting nicer, people are outside more and we get calls all the time,” Lt. Brad Franke said. 

Four search warrants were completed by today, the rest will carry over to next week. 

Marijuana in Cache County becoming more prevalent

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

With the recent legalization of marijuana in bordering states of Utah, officers in Cache County say the prevalence of marijuana is evolving more than ever before. 

In 2015, Logan City Police Department received 132 calls related to marijuana usage on a single day in the spring. They received 155 calls on the same day just a year later. 

“Weed is easy to obtain. We are seeing more in bulk than ever before,” said Sgt. Jason Olsen of the Logan City Police Department. “We see it non-stop in a single shift from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m.” 

Most officers say throughout their career as Logan Police officers they have noticed parties beginning in August once school starts, and social circles start forming. Some officers serving for around 23 years say that students have more and more amounts of weed than ever before. 

“We used to see just small amounts here and there, it was never a huge issue,” said Capt. Tyson Budge of the Logan City Police Department. “Now, people have ziploc bags full of weed.” 

All officers in Cache County hope that bringing awareness to this evolving trend will help those, especially students, understand the zero tolerance policy local police uphold. 

“We want to help keep them safe and make all good decisions. Our main responsibility is Utah State, and we take care of them,” said Officer Kent Harris of the Utah State University Police Department. 

Copier will transfer schools, adds 50 more credits

By Sophia Blankmeyer

With only 20 credits left to graduate, Chris Copier, former Utah State University football player will now be transferring to the University of Utah with 30 extra credits to complete. 

Copier will be transferring to the University of Utah starting fall semester.

“I was upset because I only had 20 credits left to graduate, which I would’ve done this spring, now I will have 50 to complete before graduation,” said Copier. 

Copier found out the USU matched it with disciplinary actions from five years ago with someone found guilty of a similar charge. Even with the Judge Kevin Allen’s letter describing his recommendation that the university would reinstate him.

“I would hope that in future cases they would listen to the the courts in what they suggest,” said Copier. “If the judge who sentenced me thinks it's important for me to finish school, and that I'm no longer a danger to the community why should the school have a harsher punishment for me?”

Officers regarding this case believe Copier was sentenced very lightly. 

“I think it is completely wrong that he got let out so so lightly,” said Captain Tyson Budge of the Logan City Police Department. “Talk about a slap on the wrist.”

Utah State University suspended Copier from school on Dec. 16 of last year. He appealed in January and received notice on Feb. 1 that his appeal was not granted.

“I don’t want to go there. I would’ve loved to have gotten my degree from USU. I was excited to go to school there and loved the people. I hate the fact that I have to go to another four semesters of school now instead of just one,” said Copier. 

K-9 in training to work for the police force

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

After finally receiving funding through state liquor stores sales, a new K-9 is in training to work for Logan City Police Department. 

With most K-9s costing upwards of $25,000, funding has been difficult to find. According to past years, the money from the liquor sales goes into a funding for alcohol prevention and this year the officers decided to use it toward a K-9 and it’s training. 

“It is so expensive, it is difficult to find funding, but we are using what the state provides in order to get some dogs” said Lt. Brad Franke, an officer at Logan City Police Department. 

Logan City Police Department has been the only station where the K-9s have been on duty. Cache County will have four K-9s that are prepared for duty, including one at the newly implemented K-9 program at the sheriff’s office. 

“These K-9s are incredible, I would love to see more, they help detect and deter criminals better than anything I’ve seen in my years in this field,” said Officer Kent Harris, a former officer at the Logan City Police Department. 

Alcohol screening combines with mental health

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

For the first time, the screening for alcohol, depression and anxiety will combine together for a mental health awareness screening in the Taggart Student Center ballroom for all USU students on April 5. 

In previous years, the alcohol screening was held every spring semester, separate from the depression and anxiety screening. 

“The reason why we are combining it all is so you don’t know what others are coming in for,” said Ryan Barfuss, a prevention specialist at Utah State University. “Say we screen 50 or 60 people only two or three really need it, I think it would be a huge benefit to combine all the screenings.” 

The screening will have a survey for students to fill out, as well as their personal demographics. The audits will tally up the scores and provide the results. Those with a certain score, or higher, will have the opportunity to talk to a counselor. 

“We just want students to have the opportunity to take the screening, and we have the availability to meet with our staff and have resources for them that will help them,” said Dr. Charles Bentley, a licensed psychologist at Utah State University. 

The screening will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 

“We want a general mental health screening for both semesters from now on, so based on what the outcome is like next week we will have a better feel for the future moving forward,” Barfuss said. 

Officers have mixed reviews towards new DUI law

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

Officers in Cache County have mixed reactions to the new DUI law of Utah lowering the Blood Alcohol content to .05. 

Governor Gary Herbert signed Utah’s newest DUI law of changing the law to .08 to .05 last week. 

“People complain to me and say that their parent who has a beer with dinner will now go to jail because of this change,” said Capt. Tyson Budge of the Logan City Police Department. “I think the change is ridiculous. Are all officers going to have to go through more training apart from what is usually required of us?”

While most citizens and officers are very upset, some really see the value of the change in the law. 

“It will help with drunk drivers and keeping people safe on the road,” said Officer Harris with Utah State University Police.

Although this law does not go into full effect until December 2018, many citizens and officers are hopeful that revisions are made before that date. 

Sex offenses lead police to predict what April brings

By Sophia Blankmeyer

With a sex offense happening every year on 4/20, police are questioning and wondering if marijuana is the next “date rape” drug in Cache county. 

Police are concerned because of how accessible marijuana is, that people will continue in the behavior of past years with getting high and assaulting others. 

“Before the legalization in Colorado, we would just see pipes,” said Captain Tyson Budge of the Logan Police Department. “Now, everyone has marijuana, and plenty of it.” 

With a day associated with parties and marijuana, local police mention 4/20 is becoming a very predictable day of sex offenses. 

“We have seen in the past 5 years a sex offense every single year on 4/20,” Budge said. 

The Utah State University Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information Office, SAAVI, has tons of safe confidential counseling. The information they provide is about sexual assault, rape, dating violence, domestic violence or stalking. SAAVI has not seen a remarkable increase of people reporting sexual assault during this time of year. 

“Marijuana can lead to impaired thinking and decision making, which can create an environment for assault,” said Felicia Gallegos, a worker at SAAVI.

Police are predicting that this year will include many calls, arrests, and at least one reported sex offense. 

Woman's suicide attempt stokes warnings about stopping mental health meds during pregnancy

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

In the wake of a suicide attempt by a woman who stopped taking medication for her bipolar disorder when she became pregnant, police and psychologists in Northern Utah are warning against the arbitrary discontinuation of psychotropic medications.

Logan police officers arrived at the home of the 21-year-old woman Tuesday morning after receiving tips from her boyfriend and mother.

“They had to kick down the door,” said Capt. Tyson Budge.

When the officers arrived they noticed an empty pill bottle and razor by her bed. The 16-weeks-pregnant woman told officers she had sought to overdose on

Celexa, an antidepressant, because she did not want to deal with life anymore. 

While women may have valid concerns about taking prescription medications during pregnancy, psychologists say shifts away of such medications should only be made in consultation with a doctor.

The emotional turbulence of pregnancy can be a particularly challenging time for people dealing with mental health challenges, said David Bush, a licensed psychologist for Utah State University.

“An unwanted pregnancy,” Bush said, “could be devastating — and even a planned pregnancy would be exceptionally challenging.”

“That is where suicidal behavior kicks in,” Bush said, noting that its easy for pregnant women to go “from feeling at the top of the world to the bottom of the world.”

And if those women have access to prescribed medications, Bush said, “they have a lethal means of attempting suicide.”

About 20 percent of women suffer from mood or anxiety disorders during pregnancy, according to the

Center for Women’s Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital, and women with histories of psychiatric illness can be particularly vulnerable. In one study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2006, two-thirds of women who discontinued antidepressant medication during pregnancy suffered a relapse of their underlying mental health issues.

Utah State University withholds registration for freshman

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

Incoming freshman at Utah State University will not be able to register for classes until the “Alcohol Edu” program is completed. 

“I’d like to see freshman take it and then in four years all students will have had the opportunity to take it,” said Ryan Barfuss, a prevention specialist at Utah State. 

He contends that by withholding registration freshman will learn and take alcohol and drug safety more seriously. This could potentially help decrease typical offenses, for freshman like minor in possession.

“Personally I want to focus on the traditional incoming freshman that are under 21,” Barfuss said.

The “Alcohol Edu” program is an informative research-based program about alcohol and drug presence in college. The program has been offered before, but the university has never withheld registration until completion. 

The program requires a passing score to get to each “level” until completion.

“I think it is a good idea, but the freshman population is only a percentage of students at this school,” said Miranda Hill, a freshman at Utah State University. “I don’t think registration should be withheld for them if they don’t complete it.”

Demonstration with shot glass leads to conversation among Greeks at Utah State University

By Sophia Blankmeyer

Using a shot glass to introduce a guideline for drinking, Utah State University's substance abuse specialist presented at an annual alcohol prevention meeting for members of Greek-letter organizations on Feb. 13. 

Fraternity and sorority members, in the Taggart Student Center ballroom, were asked to pour 1.5 ounces of water into a red solo cup. The shot glass was used as a tool to demonstrate the exact measurement of 1.5 ounces of alcohol, which is what the specialist explained is recommended per hour.  

“I honestly don’t think it was necessary for him to measure each table,” said Sarah Price, a member of Kappa Delta sorority. “I think it would have been more effective to have shown what college students drink in a night, as opposed to what you’re supposed to drink.” 

The annual meeting, “Primed for Life,” is usually held at each individual fraternity and sorority house. Barfuss, prevention specialist at Utah State University, explained how this year he wanted to focus only on newest initiates of the houses without the influence of older members. 

“I think it starts a conversation that needs to be had within each house,” said Ryker Moore, a member of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. “While it’s good to know what a standard drink is, it is not really applicable at a party or social setting.”

Moore contends that in certain settings the majority of people will be limited to the amount of alcohol that is distributed in drinks served. 

Barfuss concluded the meeting by encouraging the members in attendance to speak with their fellow greek associates. 

Former USU football player received sentencing for 30-days in jail

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

Former Utah State football player Christopher Copier pleaded guilty to dealing drugs and was sentenced to 30-days in jail on Jan. 30.

Copier appeared in 1st District Court and pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana, purified ecstasy, mushrooms, THC extracts, adderall and Xanax with intent to distribute, a second-degree felony and possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony.

“The Justice Reinvestment Act has altered many peoples’ sentencing since 2015 in the area,” said Spencer Walsh, a criminal deputy attorney for Cache County. “I think some of the reasons why was he has no prior criminal history, he had family support, the fact that he’s still pursuing his degree, he forfeited his gun and the money and did take accountability.”

Copier was arrested last year in April, when agents with Cache Rich Drug Task Force made  controlled purchases. After searching his car, officers found in the back seat center console four ounces of marijuana. In a large Aggie duffle bag with the name C. Copier and his jersey number, 85, officers found 46 tablets of purified ecstasy, also known as MDMA and $1,647 in cash. 

“If he had prior criminal history, he would probably be sent to prison or at least a substantial amount of jail time,” Walsh said.

 Adult Probation & Patrol recommended Copier be sentenced for 45 days with credit for three days previously served.

“I think his sentence was light,” said Capt. Tyson Budge of the Logan Police Department. “I have a hard time with that, but I don’t want your first criminal act to ruin your life, ruin your career or opportunities. It’s hard though when the act was so egregious.”

Police concerned about energy drinks being mixed with drugs becoming popular amongst college students

By Sophia Blankmeyer 

Police have discovered a popular trend of mixing energy drinks and drugs in Cache County, and the department is hoping that it stops before it creates bigger issues.

Many Utah State University students have been creating a new type of “mixed drink” in Logan. 

Police are worried this could become a gateway drug and potentially harm students with side effects that are similar to cocaine. 

Captain Tyson Budge of the Logan City Police Department said that most the MIP arrests have been including energy drinks. “I’m not sure if it was just an excuse and trying to hide that they drank on purpose, or if it is really happening at parties.” 

Many energy drinks companies sponsor on-campus parties and off-campus events catered to students. Police and students together contend that it would not be surprising if they saw an increase in usage. 

 “I’ve heard about it but I haven’t seen it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw it at Mardi Gras next week,” said Anna Godfrey, a Utah State University student. 

Police concerned with synthetic drug causing deaths in Cache County

By Sophia Blankmeyer

With the death rate being higher than previous years, local police are concerned with the synthetic drug, bath salt, in Cache County. 

The drug, which is similar to methamphetamine, has been emerging in Cache County. Vendors market the drug as legitimate bath salts, saying it is not for human consumption, to avoid suspicion.

“We have identified bath salt users in several different communities in Cache County, from Hyrum to Smithfield and from Logan to Mendon,” said Sgt. Shand Nazer of the Logan City Police Department. 

Bath salt users in Cache County have been found using not only the dangerous drug, but also mixing it with methamphetamine to create another realm of hallucinations and delusions. 

Officer Kent Harris with Utah State University Police Department is aware of the presence of bath salt in Cache County. 

“We want them to make all good decisions, that’s why,” Harris said. “We are here to help these students understand that it is not worth the risk.” 

Drug ‘Pink’ found in North Logan

By Sophia Blankmeyer

Police believe a synthetic opioid that arrived in North Logan in November is appearing in the Cache Valley community. 

A 30-year-old man, who was not named by police, was found by coworkers when he overdosed in November. It is believed by officials that the 30-year-old man purchased pink online and still could have access to it. 

“I think it is brought from other states... there was a large lab in Salt Lake City that was producing pink and we still suspect there is some pink in Logan,” Nazer said. 

U-47700, otherwise known as “pink,” is a powerful synthetic opioid that has similar effects to morphine and is eight times more powerful than heroin. The drug is accessible, as proven by two 13-year-old boys from Park City who had it sent to them by mail in October. 

The drug has not yet been declared illegal in Utah. Further investigation is underway that may lead to its declaration as a substance I controlled substance drugs that have no current medical use and high potential for abuse. Currently, the drug is legal in all but Florida, Ohio, Wyoming and Georgia. 

 “Soon as we get the drugs labeled and through the legislation to become illegal, the manufactures modify the chemical makeup and we end up always chasing these new drugs,” said Sergeant Travis Dunn, of the Utah State University Police Department.