The accident occurred on State Road 248 at about 8:30 p.m. A GMC Sierra traveling east struck a westbound Nissan Maxima after crossing into oncoming traffic, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.

Both drivers died at the scene. They were Kamas resident Jose Pineda, 23, and Orem resident Rick Ryan Hill, 35, according to a report from the Highway Patrol.

Hill was driving the truck that hit Pineda, Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Plank said.

The driver of a third vehicle involved in the crash survived the accident. Kamas resident Johnny Morales, 26, was in serious condition when he was airlifted to University Hospital.

The Honda Civic Morales was driving was hit by the truck after Hill struck the Maxima, Plank said. Morales had back and neck injuries.

Plank said alcohol might have been a factor in the crash.

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A non-binding agreement between Summit County, Park City and the state Military Installation Development Authority contemplates a Costco near The Home Depot in the Snyderville Basin. The store would be part of a roughly 350,000-square-foot commercial center that would be developed in conjunction with a hotel in the Park City area.

Military officials are overseeing the project. The main focus of the hotel would be to provide lodging discounts for servicemen and women. Officials expect the resort to be built near Jordanelle Reservoir in Wasatch County. The Air Force for years has sought a location for a hotel in the Park City area. But the project grew to include the separate commercial center.

Having a Costco nearby would help developers offset the costs of providing the inexpensive rooms for soldiers, explained Park City Manager Tom Bakaly.

"We’ve been working for years to try and have the hotel be the right size and in the right place," Bakaly said, adding that the hotel could have between 60 and 200 rooms.

More than 100 acres of land near Home Depot are owned by the city and county. Officials have agreed to sell about 35 acres for the retail project.

The property would be sold for about $42,056 per acre.

"That’s what we paid for it," Bakaly said about the land.

But the project must include a Costco, he added.

"We didn’t want this to cannibalize existing commercial," Bakaly said in an interview Thursday. "One condition is that it be a Costco."

The project could also include another big-box store such as Target, he added.

At 350,000 square feet, the center would increase the amount of commercial space in Park City and the Snyderville Basin by nearly 13 percent.

"Any increase is scary and I’m acknowledging that," Bakaly said. Summit County Councilman Chris Robinson also said Costco is a good fit.

"There are a lot of people in this county who are going to Salt Lake or elsewhere to shop at Costco," Robinson said. "We think a lot of people would say if it’s going to involve a Costco that is probably better than it being absent a Costco. I think it’s a plus."

The newest agreement between the city, county and MIDA establishes a fund into which tax revenue would be funneled for helping provide lodging discounts for the military. Much of the sales tax generated by the commercial project would be used to help fund those discounts.

Meanwhile, much of the property tax revenue generated by the commercial project would help fund the development.

Many people on the West Side of Summit County are opposed to the project. Critics claim that local tax dollars should not be used to subsidize a private commercial project.

But the federal government has the authority to bypass local zoning laws. By entering the discussion as landowners, Bakaly said the city and county were able to reduce the size of the commercial project. Last year, a memorandum of understanding between the Military Installation Development Authority, city and county envisioned the possibility of 1.25 million square feet of commercial development at the site.

"I don’t know if anything short of zero is going to please everyone," Robinson said.

The new agreement would also allow Park City to purchase the Red Maple tract of open space along the State Road 248 entryway for about $2 million. Government officials will not approve the non-binding letter of intent until several public hearings are conducted in February.

Hearings before the Park City Council are scheduled Feb. 10 and Feb. 17. The Summit County Council is scheduled to conduct public hearings Feb. 7 and Feb. 15.

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Officials say the slide occurred in the Humpy Creek drainage in the Uinta Mountains at about 2:05 p.m.

"His buddy tried to dig him out," Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds said.

Barnes was not wearing an avalanche beacon, Edmunds said.

"By the time they got to him he was deceased," Edmunds said.

Barnes was snowmobiling with another man when he was covered by nearly two feet of snow, said Summit County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ron Bridge.

The slide occurred in Utah near the Wyoming state line. Barnes was pronounced dead at the scene at about 3:41 p.m., Bridge said.

Avalanche danger was considerable in the western Uinta Mountains on Friday, said Craig Gordon, a forecaster with the Utah Avalanche Center. "Considerable danger means for that day human-triggered avalanches were likely," Gordon said.

The slide that killed Barnes was about 600 feet wide and three to five feet deep, according to Gordon.

The avalanche was triggered low on the slope, he explained. "We had the perfect elements coming together: fresh snow and beautiful skies," Gordon said. "These two very experienced gentlemen had no intention of riding on steep slopes that day, so they left their avalanche rescue gear in the truck. That could quite possibly have been a fatal mistake. I would think that having the gear would have helped locate [Barnes] sooner."

According to Gordon, both snowmobilers are well known in their community.

Barnes might have been buried for more than 30 minutes, he said.

"For this gentleman’s partner, these certainly were heroic efforts to save his friend’s life," Gordon said.

Barnes was found after the tip of his snowmobile was spotted sticking out of the snow.

"Barnes found a weakness in the snow pack and then he kicked the legs out from underneath it," Gordon said. "Whenever you have very strong snow on weak snow or weakening snow that is a big red flag We have a lot of very strong dense snow on top of some weakening snow so that is not a good combination."

Avalanche danger in the Uinta Mountains on Monday was reported to be considerable.

"Given the conditions, no matter what you always go out with your safety gear with you," Gordon said. "I don’t leave my house without my beacon and shovel and probe."

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Now treasurer candidate Henry Glasheen, a Park City Republican, says he is considering requesting a recount.

Most voters in Summit County cast their ballots electronically. Glasheen said he will wait to learn how many paper ballots were submitted at the polls before making his decision.

"If that number is higher than 300 or 400, I may ask for a recount," Glasheen said in a telephone interview Wednesday. "Because they went to paper balloting for a period yesterday I think that there may be a case to examine the race I want to see the numbers before I say anything."

Glasheen said a voter told him several paper ballots were cast when voting machines at the Marsac Building went down for about 30 minutes on Election Day.

Glasheen faced Park City Democrat Corrie Kirklen in the treasurer race. Kirklen received fewer than 51 percent of the votes to defeat Glasheen’s 49 percent.

Most of Glasheen’s support came from the East Side of Summit County. Kirklen won more of the voting precincts in the Snyderville Basin and Park City.

Glasheen said he should have campaigned more in some West Side neighborhoods.

"That was something we really did not concentrate on," he said. "We thought people would get more interested in the county races I overestimated how interested people would be in the county races."

Kirklen said she was satisfied with the support she received from East Side voters.

"He won all of the East Side precincts except for, I think, Kamas East," Kirklen said in a telephone interview Wednesday. "I was hoping for 30 to 40 percent of the East Side precincts and I was able to accomplish that. But it was a very tight race."

She praised Glasheen for mounting a competitive campaign.

"I think Mr. Glasheen and I both ran strong, clean races, and I respect him as an opponent," Kirklen said. "But I’m glad in this case that it went my way I’m very happy with the opportunity to serve and I’m looking forward to getting started."

There are 42 voting precincts in Summit County and state law requires the difference in votes in the treasurer race to be within 42 for a candidate to request a recount, according to Chief Deputy Summit County Clerk Ryan Cowley.

Cowley said about 276 provisional and 11 absentee ballots have not yet been counted.

"There were no issues with voting machines being down and paper ballots being issued in their place," Cowley said.

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Incumbent Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds, a Republican, received nearly 58 percent of the votes to defeat Francis Democrat Dax Shane. Edmunds received 6,399 votes compared with Shane’s 4,669.

"It’s always humbling I can’t thank my supporters enough," Edmunds said in a telephone interview. "There were some people who thought I needed to be replaced this time, but I think the voters have spoken loudly."

Shane said he was thankful for his supporters and considered the support overwhelming.

"I ran against a two-time incumbent. Sheriff Edmunds ran a good race. I learned a lot from it," Shane said, adding, "I am very proud of what I was able to accomplish."

Meanwhile, the treasurer campaign was much closer Tuesday night.

Park City Democrat Corrie Kirklen received nearly 51 percent of the votes to defeat Park City Republican Henry Glasheen. Kirklen received 5,444 votes compared with Glasheen’s 5,242.

In the campaign for seat D on the Summit County Council, incumbent County Councilman Chris Robinson, a Democrat, received more than 60 percent of the votes to defeat Marion resident Gary Shumway, a member of the Constitution party.

Robinson received 6,059 votes compared with Shumway’s 3,965.

Incumbent Summit County Councilman David Ure, a Republican, received nearly 60 percent of the votes to defeat Francis Democrat KayCee Simpson. Ure received 6,404 votes compared with Simpson’s 4,372.

In the Summit County assessor campaign, Oakley Democrat Steve Martin received 54 percent of the votes to defeat Park City Republican Robert Hunt. Martin received 5,851 votes compared with Hunt’s 4,946.

Incumbent Summit County Clerk Kent Jones, a Democrat, handily defeated Park City Republican Richard Motto. Jones received more than 61 percent of the votes. Jones received 6,535 votes compared with Motto’s 4,051.

Summit County residents voted overwhelmingly to support extending the Recreation, Arts and Parks Tax for another 10 years. Nearly 67 percent of the voters supported the ballot measure.

In the Snyderville Basin, more than 72 percent of voters supported a $20 million bond to purchase open space and develop trails. About 3,880 voters supported the measure while 1,494 voted against.

In the campaign for seat 4 on the Park City Board of Education, Charles Cunningham received nearly 66 percent of the votes to defeat Ari Ionnides.

About 11,630 of the 24,637 registered voters in Summit County cast ballots, which is about 47 percent.

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The crash occurred on eastbound State Road 248 about 10 miles from Kamas. Twenty-year-old Alyssa Gardner, who was driving a Chevrolet Lumina, was airlifted from the scene of the crash after she rear-ended another vehicle driven by a 53-year-old Oakley man.

The highway was closed as the medical helicopter landed in the South Summit area.

"[Gardner] had to be extricated from the vehicle," a Utah Highway Patrol trooper said.

Gardner’s injuries were not life threatening, according to the authorities. The crash is under investigation.

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Bruce McGowan died at the scene of the accident. McGowan was traveling eastbound when another driver traveling westbound crossed the median and struck McGowan.

The driver of the Jeep Cherokee was a Salt Lake County man in his 20s. He suffered minor injuries.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, according to Utah Highway Patrol troopers. Part of the freeway was closed and some eastbound traffic was diverted off Interstate 80 at the East Canyon exit as troopers investigated the crash.

McGowan worked as a firefighter with Unified Fire Authority in Salt Lake County. He was stationed at the firehouse in Magna.

"[McGowan] was actually returning from work that night from a partial shift," said Brad Taylor, a spokesman for Unified Fire Authority. "He was an excellent firefighter."

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Jeremy Ranch resident Rich Bullough was named Wednesday as the new director of the Summit County Health Department.

Bullough has about 18 years of management experience in public health and related fields. Since 2005, he has managed the Utah Diabetes Prevention and Control Program for the Utah Department of Health.

"I’ve waited for a long time to work in my community and I’m very, very excited for the opportunity," Bullough said.

But Summit County Board of Health member Jimmie Gines voted against Bullough’s appointment on Wednesday. Gines said Brent Ovard, the deputy director of the Summit County Health Department, deserved the position. Ovard applied for the director post.

"I think the man that never got the job is the man who earned it," Gines said.

With Ovard nearing retirement, Gines said Ovard’s application was rejected because officials felt he is too old.

However, Summit County Manager Bob Jasper countered that Ovard’s age was not a factor in the decision. On Wednesday, Jasper ratified the recommendation from the health board.

Bullough will replace former Summit County Health Director Steve Jenkins, who retired this year. Bullough is scheduled to begin his position with the county on Sept. 20. He will oversee a budget of roughly $4.5 million. More than 100 people applied for the health director position. Candy Erickson, chairwoman of the Summit County Health Department, said that deciding on the finalist was difficult.

"We did have some great applicants and it was a very, very tough decision," Erickson said.

Bullough has "a huge, expansive knowledge in the different fields of public health," she added.

Bullough holds a doctorate in human nutrition from Colorado State University. Since 1994, Bullough has been an instructor of health promotion and adjunct professor of nutrition at the University of Utah.

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Woodland resident Bob Wheaton said he was forced to spend a night in the forest when his horse became exhausted while he was riding east of Kamas on Sunday.

Searchers located Wheaton in good condition in the Uinta Mountains Monday afternoon. Wheaton is the president of Deer Valley Resort.

"My horse kind of gave out I would tug on her a little bit and let her rest," Wheaton said in an interview in the Uintas. "I knew where I was. It just took a little bit longer than I thought."

Wheaton said he was prepared with rain gear, warm clothing, water and a utility tool.

On his way to Cuberant Lake, Wheaton said he strayed off course about 32 miles east of Kamas.

"It’s rugged I have never been back to Cuberant Lake, and that’s where I was headed," Wheaton said. "I lost the trail and went down thinking I was too far up."

Wheaton said he ended up near the Weber River.

About 25 searchers participated in Monday’s operation.

"It was chilly last night," Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds said. "A lot of people were real concerned about him."

Wheaton was missing in the woods for more than 24 hours, Edmunds said.

"He may have been a little bit turned around," the sheriff said. Wheaton was reported missing Monday morning. He was later spotted by someone in a search helicopter, Edmunds said.

"He just kind of bedded down last night," Edmunds said. "We think his horse just became exhausted."

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Woodland resident Bob Wheaton, 52, was reported missing after he failed to report to work on Monday, according to Detective Ron Bridge, a spokesman for the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

Bridge said Wheaton was last seen on Sunday. Wheaton was horseback riding alone in the forest.

"He is presumed to have left on horseback from the Highline Trailhead to the Cuberant Lake area," Bridge said in a telephone interview.

Friends and family members reported Wheaton missing. Searchers were looking for Wheaton on Monday.

According to Deer Valley Director of Marketing Coleen Reardon, "We are all just here praying for a good outcome and he will be found safely."

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