Four businessmen and a former legislative leader have been singled out for honors by the Utah Technology Council.

Chief Executive Officer of the Year is Omniture's Josh James, whose company recently announced it will go public. Thomas Davis of LANDesk Software was named 2006's Chief Technical Officer; and Brian Beutler of the Internet telephone startup Alianza was recognized as the year's top emerging corporate officer.

Scott Anderson, CEO of Zions First National Bank, was honored as the council's Trustee of the Year, while former state Senate President Al Mansell was named Legislator of the Year.

"Each of these leaders continues to drive the growth of pioneering technologies, the development of industry-driven legislation, and the overall implementation of UTC's mission to build Utah's technology community," said council President and CEO Richard Nelson.

- Bob Mims

Mine visitor center delayed

Kennecott Utah Copper announced that continuing wet weather has forced it to delay the opening of its Bingham Canyon Mine visitors center.

Construction of the facility, scheduled to open last Friday, is complete, but the company to date has been unable to finish construction of an accompanying road and parking lot because of continued rain and snow in the area.

"Right now, we're not even able to set an opening date," Kennecott spokesman Larry Bunkall said.

Once the visitors center is open, the public will be able to watch operations in the largest human excavation on Earth. In addition, there are 12 new exhibits and three new videos in the exhibit hall.

A 16-minute film about mine operations will be shown in the 90-seat theater.

The mine is near the town of Copperton, four miles south of the intersection of State Routes 111 and 48.

Weather permitting, Kennecott will continue to allow the public to travel to a temporary overlook within the mine, Bunkall said.

- Steve Oberbeck

West Nile grants available

The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food is announcing that $150,000 in special grants are available to counties and mosquito-abatement districts to help prevent the spread of West Nile virus.

Last year, 18 districts and counties in Utah were awarded grants ranging from $3,000 to $35,000. The funds will again be offered on a matching basis, in which the department will fund 50 percent of projects, with districts or counties contributing the other half of the costs.

Deadline for applications is Friday. For information, visit

http://www.ag.utah.gov.

- Dawn House