Month: February 2018

The Director of the USU Bingham Research Center, Dr. Seth Lyman, gave an update on Uintah Basin air quality during the Vernal Chamber luncheon on Tuesday. Addressing winter ozone has been a focus of local officials for several years, especially since the EPA standard for ozone was lowered to 70 parts per billion. This standard has pushed the Uintah Basin closer to the possibility of non-attainment. According to Dr. Lyman, there have not been any days of non-attainment so far this winter but non-attainment is based on a 3 year average and the average varies depending on what 3 years are used. Dr. Lyman says based on the latest information from the EPA it is likely that parts of the Uintah Basin will be in the Marginal Non-Attainment category, which is the lowest exceedance level. In Marginal Non-Attainment, ways would have to be found to reduce emissions including offsets for large emission sources. A final designation by the EPA, explains Dr. Lyman, will be made later this year.

The Utah Attorney General’s Office has not committed one way or another whether they will appeal a judge’s decision made last week in 8th District Court to dismiss a charge against a Duchesne County jail nurse. The charge of misdemeanor negligent homicide against 50-year-old Jana Clyde was dropped by 8th District Court Judge Lyle Anderson last Thursday. According to Utah Attorney General’s Office representative Cindy Reinhard, the Attorney General’s Office is “currently reviewing [the] decision and is evaluating all [their] options moving forward.” Nurse Clyde was charged in September by the Attorney General with Negligent Homicide, a class A Misdemeanor, in the death of Madison Jensen in the Duchesne County Jail on December 1st, 2016.

The Ashley National Forest is serious about including the public as they plan for the future. According to an ANF news release, they have planned the second in a series of topic-based workshops and the outcome will inform the development of the revised Ashley forest plan. During the workshop, the public will learn more of the history and trends of the forest’s rangeland conditions and how this affects the rural economies in the neighboring communities. It will also explore the challenges and opportunities for future rangeland health and use. The input received from the public will be considered during the Ashley Forest Plan Revision process and potentially affect forest management over the next 15 to 20 years. The upcoming workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 3rd, from 1 to 5pm at the Uintah Conference Center. Dustin Bambrough and Dr. Stanley Kitchen will be presenting. The workshop is free to the public but space is limited so those interested can register by phone at 435-781-5118 by leaving your name and number. Register at: https://ashley-national-forest-rangeland-workshop.eventbrite.com

While there hasn’t been much of a winter so far this season, snow did come down in full force starting Sunday. Vernal City is reminding residents that effective snow removal requires their efforts in addition to the hardworking plows. “Vernal City snow crews are diligently plowing snow from the streets and spreading sand and salt,” shares Vernal City Manager Quinn Bennion, who reminds citizens that when new snow falls, it takes hours to reach all the city streets. “As we enjoy the winter weather and welcomed moisture,” Bennion continues, “there are a few reminders for businesses and residents as they clear their own driveways and sidewalks. Residents are encouraged to keep the areas around fire hydrants clear as well as the sidewalks and ADA ramps in front of their homes. Also residents should not push snow from their own driveways into the street.” Pushing snow into the street causes hazards for drivers and problems for the road crews.

The Uintah County Commissioners provided State of the County addresses during Commission meeting earlier this month. Commissioner Brad Horrocks began by highlighting a long list of departments and county employees that he feels are doing a great job and making the most of budget cuts. He noted that revenue for the Uintah Conference Center is up 40 percent and that the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition is working on great projects, including the railroad which shows great promise.

Utah’s Legislative Session for 2018 is halfway over with the conclusion of week 4 and Senator Kevin Van Tassell reports that 131 bills have been passed with more coming. Among many other bills, the Senate passed SB43 which would name the UtahRaptor as the State Dinosaur. So far, the remains of the UtahRaptor, the largest type of raptor yet discovered, have only been found in Utah. Young student Kenyon Roberts pitched the idea to legislators to name the UtahRaptor as the State Dinosaur and the Senate gladly complied. It will now be considered by the House. Another bill that passed the Senate last week was SB87, concerning School Security Locks. The bill allows school districts to decide for themselves whether or not to install bolt locks on classroom doors to be used during a lockdown situation. According to Van Tassell, the bill passed on Thursday after concurring with a House amendment just one day after the mass shooting in Florida. Those interested can keep track of bills with the bill tracker tool found at https://le.utah.gov/asp/billtrack/track.asp.  

What’s the latest list of locals gathering signatures for the 2018 election season? Greg Lamb has announced he is gathering signatures to run for Uintah County Attorney, joining incumbent County Attorney Mark Thomas. Also in Uintah County, those gathering signatures include Dan Dilsaver and Bart Haslem for Commission Seat A, Duane Shepherd, Bill Stringer and Troy Slaugh for Commission Seat B, Michael Wilkins for Clerk-Auditor, and Steve Labrum and Leonard Isaacson for Uintah County Sheriff. Each in Uintah County need to gather 329 signatures from registered Republicans. In Duchesne County, those gathering signatures include Luke Stratinger, Travis Tucker, Rick Harrison, and Brandon Adams for Sheriff, JoAnn Evans and Mindi Crowley for Clerk-Auditor, Gregory Todd for Commission Seat A, and Gregory Miles for Commission Seat B. Each in Duchesne County need to gather 186 signatures from registered Republicans. Currently, www.elections.utah.gov shows that the following have gathered at least the required amount of signatures. In Uintah County: Greg Lamb, Mark Thomas, Michael Wilkins, Bart Haslem, Bill Stringer, Leonard Isaacson, and Steve Labrum. In Duchesne County: JoAnn Evans, Mindi Crowley, Gregory Todd, Gregory Miles, Luke Stradinger, and Brandon Adams. Those with enough signatures can be included on the Primary ballot in June. There is still time to gather and submit signatures.