State Glance

Report: No radiation exposure at Grand Canyon National Park

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK — Authorities say final findings show there’s no radiation exposure from uranium ore samples that poses a health risk for employees and visitors at Grand Canyon National Park.

Park officials announced in February that they were investigating whether anyone was exposed to radiation at unsafe levels while samples of uranium ore sat in plastic buckets in a park research building.

Three 5-gallon buckets were removed from a building near the South Rim that houses the park’s archives and artifacts. About 550 people tour the collections each year.

In March, preliminary findings indicated no uranium ore exposure for park employees and visitors. A final report released Thursday confirmed those findings.

Park officials say it appeared the previous reported radiation levels taken last year at the museum collection building were significantly overstated.

Yucca Fire District chief turns himself in for embezzlement

KINGMAN — Mohave County authorities say the chief of the Yucca Fire District has turned himself in for embezzlement and is facing charges.

County sheriff’s officials say Matthew Young told detectives Wednesday that he had embezzled about $40,000 from the fire district’s bank account over the past six months.

They say Young admitted to using the money to purchase several guns, 3-D printers, two boats and other items.

Sheriff’s officials say a search warrant was executed at Young’s home and several of the items were seized by detectives.

They say Young has been booked into the county’s Adult Detention Facility on suspicion of felony for theft of $25,000 or more.

Thieves take paintings valued at $50K from Arizona house

TUCSON — Authorities say burglars swiped three paintings valued at about $50,000 from an Arizona home.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Office says the house in the Tucson area was broken into on July 10.

The three paintings were among the items taken. The owner gave police the estimated value.

The landscapes, “City Temple,” ‘‘Kelling Cottages” and “Thurne Mill,” were painted in 2012 by Kieron Williamson. The British artist was 9 years old at the time.

Court denies appeal of Arizona death row inmate who killed 4

PHOENIX — A federal appeals court has denied an Arizona death row inmate’s appeals of his murder convictions and death sentences for the killings of four members of a Phoenix family in 1993.

The 9th U.S Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday ruled against 49-year-old Richard Djerf who had argued he had ineffective legal representation at various points in his case.

Djerf acknowledged killing four family members of a roommate who had stolen electronics and a gun belonging to Djerf.