Princess Tea Party -- Eagle Mountain City held the its second summer Princess Tea Party on Aug. 6 in the City Council Chambers. Between the July and August events, over 60 young princesses have participated in parties this summer with Miss Eagle Mountain, Kim Onions, sponsored by Eagle Mountain Library. The girls dined on cookies and juice. Each girl received a crown and picture frame and a photo with Miss Eagle Mountain. After the refreshments were served Kim Onions read, "Fancy Nancy: Bonjour Butterfly" by Jane O'Connor.

Truth in Taxation Meeting, Aug. 20 -- Because of a public noticing mistake, Saratoga Springs will hold a second Truth in Taxation Meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the City offices.¬ The city is being forced to adopt a 163 percent property-tax increase due to revenue shortfalls and increased expenses. Details on the proposed city budget can be found at www.saratoga-springs.net.

Six new firefighters for EM -- Six new full time fire fighters were sworn in on Aug. 5 to serve residents in Eagle Mountain. The salaries for the new staff will be paid by a grant for five years. The expansion of Fire Station #2 will provide accommodations for the fire fighters on their 24 hour shifts.

Jason Hawkes, one of the new recruits, said because of the wonderful attitude of the crew he has enjoyed his first weeks with Eagle Mountain. He added, "We are happy to be relocated to this area from St. George. All of our family is here in Lehi."

Another new member of the department, John Tani, said that the biggest challenge is "getting familiar with everything," since each city has different equipment and procedures.

Fatality on S.R. 73 -- A Spanish Fork man died Sunday night after running a stop sign in Cedar Fort, according to the Utah County Sheriff's Office.

Walter Benjamin Escotto, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene by AirMed officials. Sheriff's office spokesman Sgt. Spencer Cannon said Escotto was driving east on 200 North when he went past the stop sign at S.R. 73 and slammed into a car driven by a 43-year-old Riverton woman. The driver of the car was not injured.

Cannon said there were skid marks at the scene, indicating that Escotto tried to stop, but he braked too late to avoid hitting the car. Investigators are citing speed as a factor in the accident. Cannon said investigators do not know how fast Escotto was driving, but that it was "significantly above the [25 mph] speed limit."

Escotto was not wearing a helmet, Cannon said.

"I don't think that would've made a difference in this case, but it certainly didn't help," he said.

Investigators are unsure why Escotto braked so late, Cannon said. S.R. 73 and 200 North is a three-way "T" intersection, and had Escotto kept driving he would have ended up in a field.

-- Jeremy Duda