Month: January 2019

Rural Utah has its own unique struggles when it comes to economic development. There are parts of Utah that are still having loss to net population and slow to negative economic growth. Daggett County has the state’s smallest county and has had a very large drop in county revenue. The Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (U-STAR) is striving to take the ideas of science and technology to have a positive impact tax revenue, employment and corporate retention throughout the state of Utah.

For those anglers wanting to hit some ice fishing on Flaming Gorge Reservoir, DWR aquatic biologist Ryan Mosley has some tips. He suggests that anglers get a lake map and study it thoroughly. The north end of the reservoir known as Buckboard usually freezes first and offers great fishing.

At a recent Roosevelt City Council meeting, the recipients of the 2018 Extra Mile Day Awards were honored. The two individuals who received the awards were nominated by the community and then were selected by the council.

Local students are learning from a nationwide program that offers interdisciplinary applications. The ‘Trout In The Classroom’ program reaches beyond science as classes raise trout from eggs before releasing them in an approved nearby watershed.

It is not often that we can share in the experience of a truly amazing person as they achieve something impossible. Well now we can. Sidney Smith is a well known community member who in his spare time takes on amazing challenges, inspiring countless people in the process.

Uintah Basin Healthcare is passing on a health tip for those that are suffering from macular degeneration. Dr. Shane Powell, eye surgeon and ophthalmologist explains that 1 in 100 people are affected by the disease, especially the elderly. The condition affects the back of the eye that then leads to loss of central vision.

The state of Utah is celebrating the Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service. Governor Gary Herbert and Lt. Governor Spencer Cox are asking members of the public to honor this day by giving to their local food pantry.

Today’s winter storm could be doing the Basin a big favor by breaking up the current inversion. According to Dr. Seth Lyman of the USU Bingham Research Center, winter ozone levels began building on Friday afternoon. Combined with strong inversion conditions, an exceedance of the EPA standard was likely, especially in the central Basin.

While it was unsure last night with the heavy snow whether local schools would be in session as usual today, local districts have officially announced there will be no change in schedules. Duchesne County School District Student Services Director Scott Forsyth confirmed at 5am today that its school as usual today in DCSD. Uintah School District Superintendent Mark Dockins confirmed at 5:30am that school will also be in session as usual in Uintah School District.

Heavy precipitation moved across Utah Thursday night resulting in travel impacts through much of the state. UDOT reports road snow and slush the entire route of Highway 40 in Utah with moderate travel caution required through Uintah and most of Duchesne County and high travel caution required into Wasatch County at Strawberry Reservoir, Daniel’s Canyon, and Heber Valley to Park City. The heavy mountain snow also means I-80 in Parley’s Canyon east into Wyoming is high caution with impaired travel conditions expected into Friday.