Month: August 2016

A connected trail system in the Ashley Valley could become a reality thanks to a collaboration effort for grant funding. Earlier this year, the project was awarded a UDOT grant of $350,000 dollars with approximately $100,000 of that to be used to develop an urban plan for Vernal and Naples and the remaining funds to address the rest of Uintah County. 

Crowds were above expectation at Duchesne County events over the last month. According to Duchesne County Economic Development Director Irene Hansen, both the fair and UBIC were extremely well attended by both residents within the Basin and visitors from out of town. 

Vernal City will soon be on the hunt for a new City Manager. After several decades of service in the position, City Manager Ken Bassett has announced his retirement to take place in June of 2017. Mayor Sonja Norton discussed the process of hiring with the City Council duringWednesday’s meeting.

Few details are known about a homicide that happened at a home in Gusher early Saturday morning. One new piece of information from the original announcement to the public, according to FBI spokeswoman Sandra Yi Barker, is that the homicide was a shooting. 

TriCounty Health Department has a lot to show for their hard work over the last year. The recently complete 2015 TriCounty Health Department Annual Report outlines TriCounty’s growth and services. 

It’s time again for backpacks, homework and school lunch. Local schools are ready to jump back into things with Uintah School District’s first dayThursday, August 18th, and Duchesne County School District set to start on Wednesday, August 24th. 

Participation is up in a program provided through TriCounty Health Department. The WIC(wick) program services low-income women, infants and children with nutrition education and supplemental food through a federal grant. 

Property tax statements are arriving in mailboxes throughout the Basin with downturn in the economy reflected. Now is the time, says Duchesne County Commissioner Ron Winterton, for citizens to review their tax statements and come to the County with any questions or disputes they have.

Upgrades to the Uintah County Jail security system met with the Commissioners’ approval on Monday although a portion of the project remains on hold. Uintah County Attorney Jonathan Stearmer recommended a hold on the prebooking and medical cameras in order to continue a legal review of security protocols. 

A new wildfire in Dinosaur National Monument was started on Sunday by lightning. So far the “Happy Hollow” fire is burning an area of mostly trees and sagebrush. At last report the fire was 335 acres and burning in the Monument about 25 miles west of Maybell, Colorado.