The doors to the Utah Field House in Vernal have officially reopened to the public. The dinosaur museum had to close earlier this month when the facility’s boiler went out, leaving the building without proper heat. “The cold temperatures of course meant the museum was chilly and we were worried about pipes freezing so we had temporary heating systems up with cords everywhere,” shares Mary Beth Bennis, Field House Curator of Education.
Uintah County Emergency Management is urging the public to prepare now for spring runoff, especially if your home is in a flood plain, by a ditch, canal, or creek, or if you’ve experienced flooding before. “Hope is not an emergency plan,” says Uintah County Emergency Manager Tal Ehlers. “We live in Utah which means we get spring runoff so people need to be conscientious.” Ehlers explains there is just no way to know at what rate the snow will melt so the best course of action is to prepare for the worst. Purchase sandbags now. Clean rain gutters. Clear snow from roofs. Make paths for melting snow to reach a drain. If you don’t know whether you’re in a flood plain or not, find the FEMA Flood Plain Map online and search your address. “We have time now for not only awareness but action,” shares Ehlers. “Let’s be prepared and aware, taking the steps now while it’s still cold and before the melt has begun.” Sandbags are available for purchase locally at hardware, farm, and ranch stores.
Video of a local buzzer beater finish is making the rounds online. The Tabiona Tigers traveled to Manila High School last Saturday for some high school boys basketball and the game was a nail biter to the end. The big ending was caught on film with the score tied at 44 and just seconds on the clock. Manila’s Garrett Potter flipped up a no-look circus shot at the buzzer, winning the Mustangs the Region Championship 46-44.
For those that enjoy the Flaming Gorge and want to share in the history of the area be sure to support the Sweetwater County Historical Museum with their many projects that they are involved with. The museum has teamed with the Sweetwater County Quilters Guild for the second annual quilt exhibit that is called “Many Many Quilts” and features quilts made by the guild for their miniature quilt challenge.
At the February 6th Planning Commission meeting Ken Moon and Allen Lindsay were recognized for their long time service on the Duchesne County Planning Commission. Ken Moon served on the Planning Commission from January 2011 to December 2018 as a representative of the Duchesne area as well as having served as the Chairman for two years.
Tuesday’s Vernal Chamber luncheon had attendees attention as officials shared details of the Uintah County cave rescue that took place in January 2018. Uintah County Fire Marshal Jeremy Raymond and Uintah County Search and Rescue Commander Shad Shelley shared their experience helping a group of people who became trapped inside the Little Brush Creek Cave.
Sometimes called ‘Zombie Disease’, the CDC has reported that eastern Utah remains among areas across the United States with Chronic Wasting Disease in deer, elk, and moose. As of their January report, Utah is one among 24 states with reports and the counties listed in Utah are Carbon, Grand, San Juan, Sanpete, Utah, Daggett, and Uintah.
The future of the Basin Transit Authority bus system in Uintah County is the topic of a public meeting scheduled for next week. Since its inception in 2012, the BTA has been funded through the Utah Department of Transportation with the Uintah Transportation Special Service District providing the local matching funds. The federal funds cover about 60 percent of the operational costs leaving the transportation district to fund approximately $190,000 each year.
Tonight is the night! Auditions for the Vernal Theatre: LIVE Season 3 closer, ‘Bye Bye Birdie’, run from 7 to 9pm at the theatre downtown. Just come prepared to sing a 60 second audition. You may think the theatre ship has sailed on your life, but this show has a part for YOU!
Do you support your local high school bands? Or if dancing to jazz music puts a shuffle in your step then plan to attend tonight’s Dinner, Dance and Concert hosted by Uintah High School Jazz Ensemble. Unfortunately if you haven’t gotten your tickets already then the dinner portion is not an option. Your attendance at the dance and concert, however, is still very welcome.