Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
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SALT LAKE CITY — Here are five local stories you may have missed this weekend. As always, click on the headline to read the full story.
Long-time Jazz announcer 'Hot Rod' Hundley has died, Jazz confirms
Utah Jazz radio announcer Rod "Hot Rod" Hundley has died surrounded by family, the Jazz have confirmed to KSL.
Hundley was the voice of the team — 31 years on a radio/television simulcast and his final four as radio only — for 35 years, beginning with the team's first season in New Orleans in 1974 up until 2009. He called 3,051 Jazz games all told. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease several years ago.
"Hot Rod was the voice of the Utah Jazz for 35 years and his voice was synonymous with Jazz radio," said Gail Miller, owner of the franchise, in apress release from the team. "The expressions he used throughout the game broadcasts are legendary. He had the unique ability to make the game come to life so that you felt as though you could see what was happening on the floor when listening to him call the games. Rod was a very special talent and will be missed by our family as well as Jazz fans everywhere. Our thoughts and condolences are with the Hundley family."
Warm weather attracts thousands to Lagoon opening day
Armando and Kristie Gutierrez have been waiting since Christmas to take the family to Lagoon.
They purchased season passes this year to have the privilege of returning again and again, but wouldn't have thought of missing opening day on Saturday.
"It's a beautiful day for it," Kristie Gutierrez said. "The kids are thrilled."
And sure enough, Tre, age 3, and Leah, age 4, giggled their way on and off one of the kiddie rides at the center of the local amusement park. The section, complete with bright colors and mood-lifting carnival music, hails among the biggest in the country catering to small children.
Photos: 2015 Festival of Colors
The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Lotus Temple in Spanish Fork held its annual Holi Festival Saturday, drawing thousands from across the region to celebrate spring and take part in a tradition that allows people to throw off the woes of winter and drench themselves in color.
The temple's color festivities are the most popular in the state and has made national headlines for its ability to bring masses of close to 80,000 to the temple grounds. The festival is a celebration of shared life.
After a short count, revelers throw colorful chalk dust as a way to "bury their hatchets with a warm embrace and throw their worries to the wind," according to the Lotus Temple website.
Utes 'proud' of season success despite heartbreaking finish
Holding the projected No. 1 pick in the NBA draft in a Sweet 16 game to six points is nothing short of remarkable.
But that accomplishment was short-lived as the sting of defeat set in for Utah following a 63-57 loss to perennial powerhouse Duke.
The loss, which was more about the "what ifs" than the actual defeat, was an abrupt ending to a season few foresaw following Utah's failure to make it to the NCAA Tournament last season. But many of the players said they were proud of the way they played this year and in the tournament.
"I'm just proud. I'm proud of my team," junior guard Brandon Taylor said. "We came a long way and no one knew we were going to make it this far. People counted us out. But the people in this locker room, we had a certain belief that we knew we could get to the Sweet 16 and we knew we could go as far as we wanted to.
2-year-old victim of scooter accident identified
The family of the victim has identified a 2-year-old boy who was killed in Lehi Saturday after being struck by his mother's sport utility vehicle as Tallin "Tui" Harding.
According to Lehi police Sgt. Bill Loveridge, the accident took place at 5:35 p.m. Saturday at 3479 W. New Land Loop. Tallin was riding his scooter on the street as his father walked alongside him, but turned the scooter in the path of an oncoming SUV that was leaving the area.
Family spokesperson Craig Harding, Tallin's grandfather, confirmed to KSL Sunday that it was Tallin's mother, Nikki Harding, driving the SUV. Craig described her condition following the crash as "devastated."
