Who doesn’t love kittens? How about Mountain Lion cubs? Dinosaur National Monument is sharing cuteness overload in some amazing footage and pictures of a mountain lion and her cubs. Ranger Zach was able to capture footage after some noticeably long drag marks near Echo Park led him to the carcass of the biggest buck in the area.
ThisIsVernal.com is ready to help local residents and organizations spread the word of their upcoming events. Local partners had talked about collaborating on a community calendar for years and this fall the resource became a reality. It’s meant to serve as a one stop place to find out what’s happening in Vernal with contributors including Uintah County, Uintah County Travel and Tourism, Uintah Conference Center, Uintah County Library, Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce, Vernal City, Western Park, Uintah Recreation District, and Uintah School District. “We would love for people to start putting their own events on the calendar,” shares Vernal Chamber Director Joel Brown. “There is a link on the right side of the page to allow you to input new events.” Once approved, the event announcement will be visible for all visitors to www.ThisIsVernal.com, All are encouraged to check it out!
A local hero is receiving well deserved recognition and thanks after announcing his retirement. Roosevelt City has shared that they are honoring one of Roosevelt’s longest-standing public servants, fireman Tim L. Rockwood. Rockwood joined the Roosevelt Fire Department in January 1974 and will retire in January 2019. That’s 45 years of service! “Forty-five years is a tremendous thing,” shares Roosevelt City Manager Ryan Snow. “Think of the lives that you touch in 45 years of public service. The time, the dedication that you put in over that length of time is incredible. He truly is a local hero.” Tim Rockwood set a great example and have had great men follow in his footsteps. His son, Lee Rockwood, is Roosevelt’s Fire Chief, and his grandson, Adam Rockwood, also serves as a fireman with Roosevelt Fire Department. Thank you Mr. Rockwood for your wonderful example and many years of service.
Saturday morning was an exciting time for 96 kids in Vernal. Breakfast followed by lights and sirens, Santa, and shopping for toys! Sounds like another successful Shop With A Cop event. The Elks Lodge hosted breakfast this year for the event that aims to give kids a positive interaction with law enforcement.
Hey last minute shoppers, are you looking for a unique Christmas gift for a loved one? The Uintah County Library has saved your day. On Saturday, December 15th, from 1pm to 5pm the library will host a “World of Words” event. Last May, eight local authors gathered to share advice, insight, and publishing tips as well as to sell their books.
The Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2 – Agriculture Improvement Act (or Farm Bill) that recently passed in the U.S. House of Representatives had some strong Utah influence and will benefit the Basin’s farmers and ranchers. Representative Rob Bishop was asked to negotiate the final version of the Farm Bill by the House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Of all the getaways that the Basin has to offer, the most unique opportunity may have just hit the market. Daggett County recently listed their county jail for sell or lease. On the 11.01 acres is actually three buildings; a greenhouse, a former church building and the jail that was built in 1998. The jail has all kinds of potential with 17,680 square feet and 80 beds.
Just like Tiny Tim melts the heart of Ebenezer Scrooge, the Vernal boy playing Tiny Tim in Vernal Theatre: LIVE’s production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ will melt yours as well. 8-year-old Samuel Sorenson as Tiny Tim says his favorite part of being in the show is being carried around everywhere.
The Uintah County Commission approved the 2019 budget this week during Monday’s Commission meeting. The total Uintah County budget approved for 2019 is $71,918,850. This is down from the 2018 total budget of $83,335,800. Clerk/Auditor Mike Wilkins explains that the main difference between the two years is the 2018 budget included nearly $11 million dollars for a project to pipe the upper and highline canals but that project has now been turned over to the Uintah Water Conservancy District.
After ten years of conversation, the Western Area Power Administration and Bureau of Reclamation is testing stable flows on the Green River in their double peaking months. The Division of Wildlife Resources wants to make the most of it. The first day of rest was Saturday, December 1st. We saw a difference in catch rates as we did surveys, says Aquatics Manager Trina Hedrick. However, to make sure that the rate was because of the day of rest and not random chance, more data is need. This week the day of rest is on Sunday, December 16th, while Saturday, December 15th, is the day of double peaking, a switch from before. To really determine that there is a significant difference in catch rates, more volunteer fishermen are needed on both days.