IN BRIEF
ATTEMPTED MURDER
LV man sentenced in shooting at Utah motel
A Las Vegas man charged with opening fire while checking into a Panguitch, Utah, motel and leaving the owner paralyzed pleaded guilty Friday and was sentenced to four years to life in prison.
Jasson Hines, 24, was sentenced for the attempted murder in August of Tracy Armstrong at Panquitch Lake.
Authorities said Hines offered no explanation in court about the shooting. He wasn't asked to explain, and investigators never determined his motive.
Garfield County spokeswoman Becki Bronson said Hines fired before Armstrong had a chance to lift his head from behind a desk.
Bronson said Hines also tried to shoot Armstrong's 16-year-old son but missed.
CORRUPTION CASE
Indicted sheriff returning to work
Indicted Orange County, Calif., Sheriff Michael Carona plans to return to work today, ending a 60-day paid leave he took to work on his defense.
The department said in a statement Thursday that Carona "will continue to fulfill his duties as sheriff on a regular basis."
Undersheriff Jo Ann Galisky, who took over when Carona began his paid leave Nov. 9, will continue overseeing daily operations.
Carona, wife Deborah and a woman thought to be his mistress were indicted in a federal corruption case alleging the sheriff took nearly $700,000 in bribes and kickbacks. They have pleaded innocent.
FOUR-DAY CHALLENGE
Skiers tackle 28 resorts despite winter storms
A group of skiers trying to tackle all 28 California ski resorts in four days has completed its mission despite huge winter storms.
The four-member group Across the Atlas finished around 12:30 a.m. Sunday, about half a day behind schedule, after road closures delayed the members for several hours.
They descended on Sierra-at-Tahoe resort in California late Saturday, and Snowcat operators gave them a ride to the top of the mountain and provided light for their descent in the blowing snow, according to their blog.
Some areas of the Sierra Nevada have received as much as 11 feet of snow since early Friday.
