Some good friendly competition can be a good thing. Vernal UBTech automotive students recently tested their skills against the Roosevelt UBTech automotive students. The contests were held in over 10 different stations with local industry leaders serving as the judges and donating prizes.
Veterans Day was celebrated by countless Basin families over the weekend with some events still to come. The UBTech Ruck Run held on Saturday was a patriotic event and welcomed all who participated or came in support of Veterans. A large American flag hung above the crowd as a clear reminder of what Veterans Day is all about and the race was followed by a free community pancake breakfast.
The announcement that the Uintah Basin Interagency Fire Center is being moved to Richfield has many locals deeply worried that local wildland fire response will suffer from the change. Email fliers being distributed state that the Forest Service and BLM failed to make a notification by public notice and is urging locals to reach out to the Governor and leadership of state Forest Service and BLM in opposition of the transfer.
BLM hearings in Utah concerning Sage Grouse management get underway on Tuesday and Basin leaders are urging locals to attend and show support for state management of Sage Grouse. While Sage Grouse are not listed as an endangered species, they are considered threatened and in response Utah has made a significant on-the-ground investment that is working for the Sage Grouse population.
Winners were announced Thursday night for the Uintah Arts Council’s Outlaw Trail Festival of the Arts 22nd Annual Juried Photo Shootout. The show is on display at the Uintah Heritage Museum throughout the month of November.
A talented young group of local musicians are prepared to impress once again in their first concert of this season tomorrow night at the Vernal Middle School. The Uintah Basin Youth Chamber Orchestra is an umbrella organization under the Uintah Basin Orchestra and Chorus and the musicians ranging in age from 9 to 19 are definitely following in their parent organization’s professional footsteps.
Vernal City is reviewing the structure and fees of its business license permits following recent changes to the state statutes governing home occupation businesses and mobile food vendors. According to a Vernal City press release, the last time Vernal City reviewed the business license fees was 19 years ago.
TriCounty Health Department issued a response on Thursday to rumors of a local Rubella outbreak. The health department stated that “Rubella is a reportable disease in the state of Utah and TriCounty Health has no reports of diagnosed or lab confirmed cases at this time.”
A former UBATC teacher in Duchesne County who was charged with 2nd Degree Felony Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a 16-year- old was sentenced to prison this week. 33-year- old Noah Christopher Behunin was charged in February in 8th District Court. He entered a guilty plea on September 25th to 3rd degree felony Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a 16 or 17 Year Old.
The Uintah Transportation Special Service District board met on Wednesday, November 8th, and options for the Executive Director position were explored as the board considers the future. Board Chairman Dan Dilsaver introduced the idea of seeking out an interim Executive Director through an RFP process.