🌱 Fatal Westpointe Shooting Case Update + ‘Zipper Method’ Is Law

Happy Thursday, people of Salt Lake City! Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town today.

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First, today's weather:

It's looking like a little bit of sun alongside some clouds, with possible snow showers tonight. High: 32 Low: 20.

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Here are the top three stories today in Salt Lake City:

1. It was a fatal drive-by shooting that rocked a graduation party in Salt Lake City's Westpointe neighborhood last summer. Now, a 2nd person involved in the incident is facing a new 2nd-degree felony charge: obstructing justice. A warrant has been issued for Felix "Fat" Issara, 19, who authorities have learned was the driver of the vehicle involved in the drive-by shooting. (KSL.com)
2. Two Utah National Guard black hawk helicopters crashed near Snowbird ski resort earlier this week. The choppers were performing routine winter mountain training when kicked up snow caused one of the pilots to lose sight of the ground which led to a broken blade and one helicopter colliding with the other. None of the six-to-eight-member crew reported any serious injuries. (fox13now.com)
3. Do you use the "zipper method" when you merge onto the freeway? Do you know what it is? Well, the Utah legislature has now made the practice the law of the land. HB76, presented by Rep. Brady Brammer, R-Highland, as a way to alleviate congestion on Utah roads. As the SLC metro area population continues to rapidly grow, the zipper method makes use of the full merge lane where the endpoint of the lane sees an every-other-car approach to merging into traffic. Brammer said the zipper method could reduce congestion by as much as 40%. (Deseret News)

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Today in Salt Lake City:

• Prepare to be enchanted, the Utah Symphony brings Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ in Concert to Abravanel Hall. (7:00 PM)
• The Leonardo at Library Square presents Immersive Leo Libations, a food and wine pairing event and immersive art experience at the museum. (7:30 PM)
• The Runnin' Utes men's basketball faces Arizona tonight at the U's Huntsman Center (9:00 PM)

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From my notebook:

• "We can hardly contain our excitement to have students, in person, back at Maurice Abravanel Hall! In our first week of concerts (2/8-2/10) we hosted 9,915 students for our 5th-grade concert presentation of "Encore: A Celebration of Black Symphonic Music"!" (Utah Symphony)
• "Travel safe around our snowplows! Do not tailgate or stop too close to a snowplow and never pass on the right! (US National Weather Service Salt Lake City Utah)
• "Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall visited Nibley Park School [this week] to read a couple of her favorite books to students. Each month, the Mayor visits a school in Salt Lake City School District, where she encourages students to get involved in their community and to make it a welcoming place for all." (Salt Lake City School District)
• "West: A Translation," a digital collection of poems about the transcontinental railroad by Utah Poet Laureate Paisley Rekdal, has been recently enhanced with multimedia content. Explore this digital experience at the link in our bio." (Utah Arts & Museums)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Thursday! See you tomorrow morning for another update.

— Joseph Peterson

About me: Joseph is a writer and marketing communications strategist with a degree in Mass Communication and Public Relations from the University of Utah. He's keen on city life, public libraries, national parks, and promoting events that build community.