Charges filed vs. pesticide applicator

LAYTON — An employee of a local pest control company has been charged with two counts of negligent homicide in the deaths of two Layton toddlers in February.

The Layton City Attorney’s office filed the class A misdemeanor charges against Cole Nocks in the deaths of Rebecca and Rachel Toone, who inhaled phosphine fumes emitted from tablets of the pesticide Fumitoxin, which Nocks allegedly placed around the Toone home to rid the yard of rats.

Layton Assistant City Attorney Steve Garside announced the charges at a press conference last week. He said negligent homicide charges are considered a result of recklessness rather than criminal intent. Investigators allege that Nocks failed to follow warning labels and federal regulations. They accuse him of applying too much of the pesticide too close to the home.

Nocks and his employer at the time, Bugman Pest and Lawn Inc., could still face federal charges. They are facing civil action by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, said the department’s pesticide manager Clark Burgess. The department wants to revoke Nocks’ license and fine him $27,000. The company also faces up to $32,000 in fines.

In response to the girls’ deaths, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced more stringent regulations for Fumitoxin, banning the product’s usage around homes and increasing the buffer zone for its use near nonresidential buildings that could be occupied by people or animals.

The Toone family reiterated their intention to cooperate with investigators in a statement released following the press conference. They added, “While we continue to mourn the passing of Rebecca and Rachel, we feel compassion for all involved in this situation. Although we understand and support the demands of the law we hope those demands will be tempered with mercy.”

A court hearing in which Nocks is expected to enter a plea will be June 8 in Layton.

Hazardous incidents investigated

HILL AFB —Base emergency and bioenvironmental teams were kept busy Friday responding to two potentially hazardous incidents.

Base spokesperson Richard Essary said the first call to emergency personnel was to determine the nature of a package containing aircraft parts and an additional unidentified powdery material received at one of the base’s aircraft work centers.

Bio-environmental teams responded to determine the nature of the package contents, if it posed a hazard, and who may have come into contact with the package. The substance was determined to be harmless, and the incident was wrapped up by about 2 p.m.

“Air Force procedures are in place to ensure the safety of all of our people, and we had our emergency response and bioenvironmental teams respond,” said Col. Patrick Higby, 75th Air Base Wing commander. “At this point, we believe our response was precautionary, and no foul play is suspected.”

The second response was to what was initially believed to be hydrazine in the air in the Building 900 industrial area. Essary said an Air Force lieutenant was on a site where approximately 25 contractors have been excavating for a project on the flight line.

The lieutenant reported to the base clinic and advised he was exposed to an odor, possibly hydrazine, and it gave him a slight headache. He was treated at the clinic and released.

Base emergency and bioenvironmental teams immediately responded to the site to determine if any kind of hazardous chemical, including hydrazine, was present. Higby said no hydrazine was found and the cause of the odor was undetermined.

WX adopts resolution thanking cops

WOODS CROSS — The Woods Cross City Council adopted a resolution declaring May 9-15 as Law Enforcement Week in the city.

The annual resolution is a way to thank officers for their service to the city, and a good way to let them know they are appreciated, Police Chief Paul Howard told council members.

Job’s Daughters host annual spring fling

BOUNTIFUL — Bethel No. 9 Job’s Daughters is having its annual Spring Fling Fund-raiser this Saturday, May 8 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 1915 S. Orchard Drive.

Organizers say the event will be loaded with great yard sale/flea market items, furniture, clothing, toys, etc. There will also be concessions such as cotton candy and drinks available for sale as well as hot dogs and bratwurst hot off the grill.

Those who would like to sell their own items may still rent tables. For more information on this, call Cami Adams at 801-295-2961.

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