Plans for a $1.4 billion dollar crude oil upgrader in Uintah County are moving forward which is great news for the local economy in the long run. Vince Memmott, President of Uintah Advantage, gave an update on the project earlier this month during the 7 County Infrastructure Coalition meeting held in Price, stating that $40 million dollars has been invested in the development so far.
Month: August 2017
Officials Ask for Help Identifying Bank Robber
While the FBI is on the hunt for the Great Outdoors Bandit, another bank robber has hit closer to the Basin. On Tuesday at about 2:00pm, a suspect with a handgun entered the Grand Valley Bank in Heber and demanded cash. Communities throughout the region are asked to be on the lookout and help identify the suspect. Witnesses described the person as a white man about 6 feet tall wearing a gray colored long sleeve shirt, dark pants, white shoes, black gloves and black sunglasses. A blue bandana was worn over the lower half of his face and a folded white towel was draped over part of his head. He was wearing a backpack on the front of his chest and left the bank on foot traveling northbound on 100 West. Visit www.basinnow.com to view a picture of the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call 435-654-1411.
American Heroes Project Holds Camp in Manila
Fresh air and world class fishing was exactly what the American Heroes Project had in order last month when they hosted a retreat in Manila for disabled veterans. The organization welcomed 18 women veterans to the Rocky Ridge Outpost camp for a 5-day retreat of camping and fishing on Flaming Gorge Reservoir. The American Heroes Project actually hosts camps each month at Flaming Gorge, each time allowing different groups the chance to come camp and fish. The group has three boats and provided the experience to around 900 disabled veterans in 2016 at Flaming Gorge, Strawberry Reservoir and Southern Utah. The next camp is being held on Flaming Gorge August 14th through the 17th and will be hosting “Gold Star” families of fallen service members. American Heroes Project welcomes anyone that sees them on the water to pass as wake-less as possible and say hello! For more information on the organization, visit www.americanheroesproject.org.
DWR Urges Fishing at Starvation and Red Fleet Reservoir
The Division of Wildlife Resources is asking anglers to help make fishing better by keeping more catches at certain Basin reservoirs. Biologists are asking that anglers keep small walleye caught on Starvation Reservoir and keeping yellow perch caught on Red Fleet Reservoir after a netting survey they performed on the reservoirs this summer. “When we do these nettings,” shares regional fisheries biologist Natalie Boren, “we want to see many more prey fish than predators. It takes lots of prey fish to produce a stable and healthy population of predators.” Yellow perch are the main items predators eat in Starvation and biologists found very few in their nets this summer but small walleye were numerous. “Seeing few yellow perch in our nets, but numerous walleye, makes us nervous about the future of the fishery,” continues Boren. “Reducing the number of smaller walleye will help reduce competition for food among the walleye and improve the health of the walleye into the future.” Red Fleet Reservoir is a different story. The fishery is quite young and the perch have grown too large for the small walleye to eat and so anglers are asked to target yellow perch at Red Fleet. For more information, call 435-781-9453.
Budget Pushback During Uintah School Board Meeting
While the Fiscal Year 2017/2018 Uintah School District budget was adopted and implemented in time for the July 1st start date, a group of Uintah County residents attended the August 9th school board meeting demanding that it be rescinded. The group, led by James G. Drollinger, believes the school district’s $80 million dollar budget needs cut as the community struggles financially during economic downturn. The Uintah School Board made their final 2017/2018 budget adoption during their June 20th business meeting. According to the meeting minutes, Board President Kevin Dickson read a statement asking for public input regarding the budget but no patron input was received. During the board’s discussion on June 20th, board member Mark Caldwell asked about a proposed budget levy at $3.5 million dollars and called it an increase in taxes. Kurt Case said he saw it differently explaining that last year the district was able to do a rebate in taxes but is unable to this year and that the debt was voted on and accepted in 2008. During the June 20th meeting, the board discussed capital outlay and the potential for future growth at length with board member Resha Bartlett opposing any raise in taxes for the struggling community. The motion to approve the budget passed with Kevin Dickson, Kurt Case, and Sarah Lamb in favor and Resha Bartlett and Mark Caldwell opposed. During the August 9th meeting, Drollinger took issue with the $3.5 million dollar levy stating that district buildings can last much longer than 40 years. After his presentation, Board President Kevin Dickson stated that while the public hearing had already taken place and the budget is already set, the feedback would be noted and utilized next year when budget meetings resume for the next fiscal year. The discussion quickly heated up as Drollinger and his supporters demanded that the budget be rescinded, emphasizing that taxpayers are suffering. Board member Kurt Case stated that it cannot be overturned and explained that he represents Uintah County voters as a whole and not all share the opinion of Drollinger. Dickson said he “will make zero apologies” for the facilities provided to the children in the district, emphasizing that they may not be the best but that he is proud of them. Business Administrator Derek Anderson stated that what is being missed is discussion the board has had involving long term planning and the potential need to shift funds to bring teachers’ salaries up. The vocal crowd quickly reacted. Superintendent Mark Dockins asked the room for civil discourse. Board member Resha Bartlett thanked those for coming and sharing their feelings and the patron input portion of the meeting was closed.
Moffat and Rio Blanco Among Counties That Could Benefit from S.B. 1743
Suffering coal communities may find some relief on the way. Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties would be among 90 counties nationwide that would benefit from U.S. Congress Senate Bill 1743, if passed. Sponsored by Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, the bill would amend the IRS code of 1986 to create tax incentives for coal community zones, to provide education and training opportunities for individuals living and working in coal communities, as well as other incentives. Former Moffat County Commissioner John Kinkaid was involved with Bennet’s office while the bill was being worked on and says it is one key prong in the approach to saving dying coal communities. “It’s my hope that this bill will be passed and signed into law,” shares Kinkaid. Coal Community Zones would be eligible for benefits like a $3,000 dollar hiring credit for employers that hire those who live and work in the zones. Kinkaid says it’s also time to take the training wheels off of wind and solar to create a level playing field. S.B. 1743 was read twice in the Senate on August 3rd and was then referred to the Committee on Finance.
USU-Uintah Basin Welcomes New Faculty
There will be new faces greetings USU-Uintah Basin students this fall as vacancies in the Wildlife Science, Social Work, and Mathematics Departments have been filled. Three new faculty members are set to begin teaching and serving on campus this fall. Dr. Mark Chynoweth is the new assistant professor in Wildlife Science. Dr. Patrick Harvey is the new clinical associate professor in Social Work and Don Busenbark is the new lecturer in Mathematics. “We are excited to get to work with Mark, Patrick, and Don,” shares USU-UB executive director Dr. James Taylor. “Each brings unique qualities that will benefit the entire USU system. Mark’s experience in wildlife science is nearly unmatched, making him a perfect fit for USU-UB, where there is a lot of interest for wildlife science. Patrick has spent the majority of his career traveling from the Eastern United States to Hawaii teaching and educating. Don has a passion to help individuals and adapt courses to meet their needs.” Don Busenbark has taught high school in Roosevelt for 24 years and has been an adjunct professor at USU-UB for 15 years. He is working on his doctorate degree in math education.
Don Busenhark
Excitement Building for Utah Symphony Concert
Excitement is building for the Utah Symphony concert being held in several weeks within Dinosaur National Monument. The September 2nd concert is the Utah Symphony’s final stop this summer on their “Great American Road Trip”. While parks and monuments have been listed as stops on Utah Symphony tours of the past, this announcement holds historic value because those concerts were only held near the parks. “This is not something that just happens,” shares Uintah County Director of Travel and Tourism Lesha Coltharp. “ In fact, this is the first time they have allowed anything like this.” The Utah Office of Tourism and Utah Symphony have worked together on national park tours for several years, with ‘The Mighty 5’ tour considered an amazing success the last few years with concerts held near ‘The Mighty 5’ parks. Anyway you look at it, the upcoming Utah Symphony concert within Dinosaur National Monument will not be one to miss. Tickets opened up in May but went fast. Those who didn’t get tickets but still hope to see the concert are in luck. All interested are encouraged to wait in standby or are welcome to volunteer to help with the event.
Community Offers Support After Father Killed in Mining Accident
Family, friends and strangers have rallied around the Stevens family after the tragic accident at the Deserado Mine that took the life of Jason Stevens on August 3rd. 32-year-old Stevens was found under a two-ton trough at the mine production facility. He was found under the container used to clean coal located above ground. It’s reportedly the first fatality at the mine since October 1996. As news of the tragedy spread, support poured in through a Go Fund Me account set up for Jason’s wife Jasmin and their two boys, 9-year-old Hoss and 6-year-old Jace. Over $11,250 dollars was raised in the first four days the account was created. All donations are going to help the family pay for the expenses that come with losing a husband and father. Funeral services were held for Jason Stevens on Thursday in Ferron, Utah. Interment is scheduled for Friday at the Vernal City Cemetery. Our condolences to the family and friends mourning this tragedy. https://www.gofundme.com/pq6wrq-the-stevens-family
New Sage Grouse Order to “Complement State Efforts”
A Sage Grouse report from the Department of the Interior review team could be good news for local land management. The report poses possible plan and policy modifications to complement state efforts to improve Greater Sage-Grouse conservation and economic development on public lands. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke made a statement on the report Monday, stating that he has directed the Deputy Secretary to begin implementation of the recommendations and to direct the BLM, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and other offices, to immediately follow through on the short- and long-term recommendations. Secretary Zinke signed Secretarial Order 3353 that aims to strengthen communication and collaboration between states and the federal government. While conservation efforts will continue, the new order ensures that those efforts are not to impede local economic opportunities.