Utah legislature’s 2017 interim committees have wrapped up their meetings for the year, shares Senator Kevin Van Tassell, and many items were explored. One of the topics of local importance is consideration of fireworks restrictions.
Month: November 2017
Vacancy on Roosevelt City Council with Foster Announcing Departure
Roosevelt City has announced an opening on the Roosevelt City Council with the departure of Albert Foster as he has accepted a career opportunity on the Wasatch Front. Foster was halfway through his second term on city council and just days after his run for Roosevelt City Mayor when he was offered a position as HR Director of Wasatch Mental Health in Provo.
Future Considered for BTA in Uintah County
Uintah County and local city officials metMonday afternoonwith the future of the BTA, the Basin Transit Authority, among the agenda items discussed. Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion says Vernal City clearly requested that the Uintah Transportation Special Service District be the funding agency for BTA in Uintah County.
Trees For Charity Auction Gala a Fantastic Success
The Uintah Conference Center was packed Monday night for the 19th annual Trees for Charity auction gala. It was a record breaking year with 450 tickets sold for the dinner and event. The grand total for the 40 trees auctioned off for local charities was $194,000 dollars and that isn’t counting the additional donations and silent auction items yet to be tallied. Half the trees went for $4,000 dollars or more and many were auctioned multiple times. The tree to benefit 4-year-old Jade Cooper of Vernal, who was recently diagnosed with Leukemia, was bid on three times for a combined donation of $11,200 dollars. A tree benefitting 20-year-old Karleigh Martin who is battling ovarian cancer took in a total of $12,300 dollars in donations. The tree to benefit Angie Earl, a mother of four diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer this year, took in the most donations with 7 generous bidders giving a combined donation total of $31,100 dollars. “This has been such an amazing year,” shares Trees for Charity Chairman Josh Harbison. “We have an amazing community that, even when things are tough, come out and help families that really need it.” The grand total of donations gathered will be announced by Friday.
Photo credit: Trees for Charity Facebook page
Vernal Regional Airport Update
It’s time for takeoff on the new runway at the Vernal Regional Airport. According to airport manager Doug Brown, the new runway is halfway painted and will be complete by the end of the week and all signage is being put in place. “The FAA will come in from Oklahoma City to fly the approach next week,” shares Brown. “The flight check will verify and set in place the future flight pattern.” Brown expects the new runway to be open next weekend and the old runway will be shut down. Airport administration is also working on getting everything in order for Skywest to take over air service this summer. “Boutique has offered to stay through June and the employees at the airport have been notified,” shares Brown. “We are also looking at a few changes that need to be made to the terminal building to make room for TSA and their equipment.” Updates on the airport are available on the Vernal Regional Airport Facebook page.
Still Time for Forest Grouse Hunt
There’s a hunting opportunity still open that’s entering its prime hunting time. Utah’s forest grouse hunt ends December 31st and as the hunt enters its final month, DWR upland game coordinator Jason Robinson says that reports he’s received, plus what he has seen while hunting forest grouse this year, indicates the number of grouse in Utah is slightly above average this fall.
Team Uintah Recognizes Seitz Eye Care
Team Uintah is recognizing Seitze Eye Care for their long history of supporting public schools. “Dr. Gordon Seitz and Dr. Neldon Seitz can be seen at many Uintah High School extracurricular events supporting our students [and] Tod Tesar served many years on the Uintah School Board to help ensure our students receive quality education,” shares Superintendent Mark Dockins.
Vernal Theatre: LIVE …
Vernal Theatre: LIVE has another first coming up, a show with an all female cast. Auditions for Steel Magnolias are being held tonight and tomorrow at the theatre and all women are welcome.
State Board Chairman on Hacking Accepting Tooele Tech Position
A man and his family who have been deeply involved in the Basin community will soon be moving on for a new opportunity. The Board of Trustees that oversees Utah’s Technical Colleges named Paul E. Hacking as the new President of Tooele Technical College earlier this month.
Holly Days Attracts Record Crowds
The 14th annual Holly Days celebration in Vernal attracted record crowds over the weekend. According to event coordinator Glade Allred, it’s estimated that 15,000 people came to participate in the holiday event coming from Craig to Hannah, the Wasatch Front and southern Utah.